Download

Download Full Text (592 KB)

Publication Date

3-15-2008

Year of Release

2008

Note(s)

8:00 p.m.

James Houlik, tenor saxophone

Vahan Sargsyan, piano

Biographies

James Houlik has been critically acclaimed around the world as the preeminent performer on his instrument. He has introduced the unexpected beauty of his instrument wherever open ears seek a refreshing new voice, leading the Washington Post to proclaim him "The Andres Segovia of the Tenor Saxophone". The wild enthusiasm surrounding Houlik's Carnegie Hall debut brought about a second New York solo recital in Lincoln Center's Tully Hall on the occasion of the birthday of Adolfe Sax, inventor of the Saxophone. Houlik performs with many of the world's great orchestras, and most often performing music that has been composed for him by such composers as Morton Gould, Robert Ward, Russell Peck, Eric Ewazen, and many more. His recordings of both recital literature and concertos have helped to set a new standard of saxophone performance, prompting The London Daily Mail to recognize him as "The World's Great Saxophone Virtuoso". He has performed for President Clinton in the East Room of the White house, in the major music capitals of the world, including performances in Brazil, China, Germany, Taiwan, Portugal, Italy, and many more. Mr. Houlik is Professor of Saxophone at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and is an artist/clinician for the Selmer Company.

Vahan Sargsyan was born into a musical family in Yerevan, Armenia. He began his piano studies with the "Honored Teacher of Armenia" Elza Tandilyan. He later continued his studies at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatoire studying with his father Willy Sargsyan, a renowned pianist and teacher. In 1991 Mr. Sargsyan was named a winner of the International Piano Competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has twice been selected as a winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition. Sargsyan has performed as recitalist and collaborative pianist in Armenia, Russia, Italy, Austria; Argentina, Brazil and the USA. He has appeared as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. His noteworthy chamber music partners have included violinist Movses Pogossian, baritone Garegin Hovsepian, trombonist James Markey, soprano Hasmik Hatsagortsian, oboist Alex Klein, cellist Suren Bagratuni, and flutist Alexa Still. Mr. Sargsyan serves as pianist at Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Mr. Houlik's appearance is made possible, in part, by Conn-Selmer, Inc.

Note

Jomie Jazz Center

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Fine Arts | Music | Music Performance

Marshall University Music Department presents the Sixth Annual Single Reed Day, James Houlik, tenor saxophone, Vahan Sargsyan, piano, Guest Artisits

Share

COinS