SOLOIST SPOTLIGHT - Downton Abbey: Beautiful Music from the Era and TV Show
The THSO is excited to feature three of our very own during our Downton Abbey: Beautiful Music from the Era and TV Show fundraising concert event on February 29th at 7:29pm! We sat down with these talented musicians and asked them about their careers and what drives their passion for music.
Daniel Aizenshtadt, Concertmaster
Israeli-born violinist Daniel Aizenshtadt currently holds the Concertmaster position with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. He made his solo debut with the Israeli Camerata at age 11 and has performed solo concerts with several notable orchestras such as the Israeli Philharmonic, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Rishon Letzion Symphony Orchestra, the L’european Romantique, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Daniel began his violin studies with his mother, Tania Aizenshtadt. Receiving full scholarships, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the New England Conservatory under Miriam Fried and his Master’s degree at Rice University with Cho-Liang Lin. Daniel is currently pursuing the prestigious Artist Diploma degree under the tutelage of Grigory Kalinovsky at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Daniel was awarded the coveted first prize of The Aviv Competition in 2014 and was a recipient of several scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF). As an Aviv Competition prizewinner, Daniel received a generous instrument loan from Yehuda Zisapel’s private instrument collection, a beautiful violin made by G.F Pressenda in 1823. He currently plays this instrument when performing with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Daniel has also collaborated with several notable artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Nobuko Imai, Shlomo Mintz, and Vadim Gluzman.
What made you want to pursue performing music?
Growing up in a family of musicians, I was exposed to music from an early age. I always loved hearing my mother play the violin and my father play the cello. However, I especially enjoyed the brilliant sound of the violin, and it made me want to play it with great joy.
Why do you love performing with the THSO?
Very few orchestras in the world are as high level as the THSO, and it is a true blessing to be able to perform in such an orchestra. The musicians are fully committed to making great music and contribute to the incredibly warm sound the orchestra can produce. Each and every performance is exciting, energetic, and unique. The orchestra is capable of playing a vast range of repertoire and often collaborates with the very best artists in the world. It does this so masterfully.
Why are symphony orchestras such an important part of a community?
I strongly believe that due to the incredible range of sounds a symphony orchestra can produce, it can often convey powerful emotions that no words can. When listening to a symphony orchestra play, there is a unique energy that fills the entire hall, bringing people together with a true emotional connection.
Daniel will perform Variations on “The Last Rose of Summer” by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst for Downton Abbey: Beautiful Music from the Era and TV Show.
Daniel Aizenshtadt, Concertmaster
SeungAh Hong, Principal Cello
SeungAh Hong, Principal Cello
“...SeungAh Hong added her sumptuous, golden tone to beautiful cello solos and played the continuo part in the baroque pieces with intelligence and strong underpinning.” -The Republic
“...the cello solo reminiscent of Brahms lieder was played beautifully by SeungAh Hong. As the piano entered the interweaving of singing lines was magical.” -The Republic
“...Schumann cello concerto brought to life by South Korean Cellist Hong who negotiated her way through this warm and embracing concerto with a blend of verve and elegance...the result being a richly lyrical reading of a Romantic master work.” -The Bloomington Herald-Times
A first prize winner of the 2018 Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition, 2017 Kuttner quartet competition, the 2016 IU Cello Concerto competition, the 2014 Kumho Asiana Young Artist Concert Audition, the 2012 Ujung Arts Center Rising Star Concert, and the 2009 Ewon Arts Center Young Artist Auditions, SeungAh Hong has been praised for her distinctive sound, poetic interpretation, intensely expressive music making, and commanding stage presence.
Born in Korea, Ms. Hong began cello lessons at the age of 6. She continued her studies with Hyeong-Won Chang and Kangho Lee. Based on her distinguished artistic and academic accomplishments, she was awarded the Kookmin Bank’s Artistic Excellence Scholarship at the Korea National University of Arts. Since 2014, she has been studying with cellist Peter Stumpf. Since 2017, she has been studying with baroque cellist Joanna Blendulf at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she is a graduate assistant and a recipient of the prestigious full-tuition Eva Heinitz Scholarship and Artistic Excellence Award.
She graduated from Indiana University’s highly selective Artist Diploma program in 2017, and she was the cellist of the Kuttner quartet-in-residence from 2017-2018. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in both cello and baroque cello performance while serving as the Principal Cellist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.
What made you want to pursue performing music?
I have always loved playing music, and I followed my heart when I picked up the cello at age 6. I am so blessed that I have been able to turn something that I love doing into a career and for the wonderful connections I have made with people and communities as a result of my music making.
Why do you love performing with the THSO?
I love playing with my THSO colleagues because we all share the same goal of creating music to make the world a better place. Everyone in the orchestra pours their heart into their music making, and I find this so inspiring as an artist.
Why are symphony orchestras such an important part of a community?
I believe that playing in a symphony orchestra embodies the ideals of community that can be reflected in real life. We all work together to create something beautiful and as individuals contribute to a greater good which I think represents the ideal community. Music also has the power to transform, heal, and educate which is a powerful part of the human experience.
SeungAh will perform Song of the Birds by Pablo Casals for Downton Abbey: Beautiful Music from the Era and TV Show.
Timothy Stephenson, Principal Keyboard
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Timothy Stephenson started his piano career at the age of eight and has been described as “a very thoughtful and sensitive musician – he has a bit of old-school elegance that is increasingly rare.” (The Chautauquan Daily)
Having received top prizes in over a dozen international and local competitions, Mr. Stephenson has most recently been featured as a soloist on stage at Aspen’s Harris Hall. He has worked with several renowned conductors, including Timothy Muffet and Thomas Wilkins, and made his professional Midwest debut in February 2019, with a performance of Grieg’s piano concerto, under the baton of David Bowden with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. An avid collaborator, his violin-piano duo Stephenson|Gan made their Carnegie Hall debut in May 2017, with a showcase recital in Weill Recital Hall.
Mr. Stephenson is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with renowned pianist and teacher Norman Krieger. Past studies include degrees under the tutelage of Read Gainsford at Florida State University. He has appeared in masterclasses with Jerome Lowenthal, Paul Lewis, Ian Hobson, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Logan Skelton, Alexander Korsantia, and Arnaldo Cohen, with summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Chautauqua Institution, and Pianofest in the Hamptons.
What made you want to pursue performing music?
Music has always been a powerful and prominent force in my life. At a young age, I heard my dad play hymns on the piano each morning, and I was constantly involved in music in some capacity at school, in church, and in my community. Music is, for many, a way to connect with others and I decided to pursue music because of its unique ability to reveal beauty and truth, for both the audience and for myself.
Why do you love performing with the THSO?
The THSO is a wonderful ensemble to perform with because of the special connection that the orchestra has with its community. It is always so heartening to speak with audience members after the concert and to hear about the impact that the music had on them. Sometimes, as professional musicians, we get caught up thinking about rehearsals and notes and coming in at the right time, so much that we forget that the music is what connects us to our audience. So, it is a special experience to play in orchestra where the community expresses their appreciation for us.
Why are symphony orchestras such an important part of a community?
The presence of a symphony orchestra has long been considered an indicator of a city's health. While arts centers that bring in touring musicians from around the country are a great source of entertainment, there is nothing quite so special as an ensemble that calls a city home. Musicians who have a reason to spread music with their community and have chosen to stay in that community want to share that special connection that makes music so incredible.
Tim will perform W.A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21: Movement II for Downton Abbey: Beautiful Music from the Era and TV Show.
Timothy Stephenson, Principal Keyboard