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Entertainment

Renowned pianist ready to kick off library series

The eight-concert series starting Jan. 8 will feature styles ranging from big band to a brass quintet.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published December 30, 2005

Concert pianist Joseph Schwartz will be the first performer in the eight-concert series being held at several Pasco County libraries starting Jan. 8 and continuing through March 19.

The concerts cover a range of music styles, including swing, jazz, big band, doo-wop, Dixieland, pop, Broadway and even a brass quintet. The series is sponsored by the county, the Friends of the Pasco County Library System, the city of Zephyrhills and individual contributors.

Schwartz's concert is at 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road. Tickets are $3, first-come, first-served. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

This is the 10th year for the concerts.

Schwartz is an internationally lauded pianist. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music at the Juilliard School and has studied in London and Rome. Critics have praised his "extraordinary technique and touch," "his virtuosity and highly sensitive interpretations," and called him "a musician from his fingertips to his toes." New York Times critic Harold C. Schoenberg called his playing a "successful fusion of whiz-bang technique and musicianship."

Schwartz was on the faculty at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and also served as department chairman there. He has held master classes at colleges and universities in the United States, China and Canada and has performed throughout the world. He now lives in Tarpon Springs and teaches piano at the University of South Florida and has a private studio.

All concerts are at 2 p.m., with admission at the door of $3. Future concerts are:

Jan. 29: Brotherhood a Capella, Doo-Wop, New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills.

Feb. 12: Jammin' Jambalaya/Dixieland, Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., Zephyrhills.

Feb. 19: Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet, Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.

Feb. 26: John and Mary K. Wilson, singers, New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills.

March 5: Opera Workshop from USF perform The Magic Flute, celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday, South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday.

March 19: Arioso/Florida Orchestra String Quartet does Classical Meets Jazz, Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson.

[Last modified December 30, 2005, 00:57:15]