In her 40-year professional career, pianist Ann Schein has performed with such orchestras as The New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the National Symphony, and has played in 60 countries around the world. She will add Hope College to her extensive list of venues when she performs in Dimnent Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
A former student of Arthur Rubinstein and Dame Myra Hess, Schein is one of the few pianists alive today who has performed the complete major piano pieces of Chopin in concert. She did it six nights in a row to sold-out crowds at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
Schein has also collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists like Fred Sherry, Paul Sperry, James Durnham and Jessye Norman, with whom she recorded an album.
Schein's latest release, a recording of Schumann's "Davidsbundlertanze, Arabesque, and Humoreske" was hailed as "Fault-less...touching and unforgettable," and was rated as an Outstanding Recording by "American Record Guide."
Her first recordings, at the age of 19, established her as a premiere pianist in 1959, and were the start of a stellar career that is not slowing down. "A rare pianist," the "London Times" has said, mirroring comments made about her throughout her career.
Schein currently sits on the piano faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She also serves on the faculty of the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and is a sought-after adjudicator in major international music competitions.
Her visit to Hope College will also allow her to spend time with pianist and former student Mansoon Han, who was named to the Hope faculty this year.
In addition to her concert on Feb. 20, Schein will hold a master class on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Snow Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music. The master class is also open to the public.
Schein's visit is being supported through the college's department of music.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located on the corner of College Avenue and 12th Street. Nykerk Hall of Music is on the former 12th Street between College and Columbia avenues.