Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - In celebration of the 250th anniversary of W.A. Mozart's birth, the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will present the Salzburg Chamber Soloists with pianist Andreas Klein in concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as a part of the University Series.

"Throughout the world, concerts and festivals are being held this year to commemorate Mozart's birthday," said Dr. Richard Berry, dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts. "We join in the celebrations by bringing one of the premier groups from Mozart?s birthplace to Nacogdoches."

The 17 members of the Salzburg Chamber Soloists will perform Mozart's "Divertimento in D Major, KV 136," Franz Schubert's "5 Minuets and 6 Trios," an orchestral arrangement of Ludwig van Beethoven's "String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95" and Astor Piazolla's "Four Tangosensations."

Joining the ensemble for a highlight of the concert will be internationally acclaimed pianist Andreas Klein performing Mozart's "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C Major, KV 415."

The German-born pianist has appeared as a soloist and with orchestras throughout the world. The New York Times called him "A fascinating artist with all the indispensable qualities: temperament, taste, touch, tone, the four Ts of pianism."

Klein is heard frequently on national Public Radio's "Performance Today," and on numerous syndicated and local radio programs such as KUHF Houston and WGBH Boston. To attract and introduce television audiences to classical music, Klein conceived and created a series of short works by composers such as Chopin, Debussy and Stravinsky, called "Intermezzo with Andreas Klein," as seen on the PBS stations nationwide.

The Salzburg Chamber Soloists were formed in 1991 when violinist Lavard Skou-Larsen and a handful of colleagues decided to form an ensemble whose aim was to perform orchestral chamber music with the freedom of soloists.

In only its first year of existence, the orchestra toured the United States and Canada and has since made several tours to South America, Germany and North America. The orchestra has performed in the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Philharmonie (Berlin), the Théâtre des Champs Elysées (Paris), the Tonhalle (Zurich) and other important concert halls.

The Salzburg Chamber Soloists are regular guests at festivals throughout the world, and in 2006 the ensemble will give 18 concerts in Salzburg in celebration of Mozart's birth and perform as musical ambassador of Salzburg at the places Mozart visited in his lifetime.

Prior to the Nacogdoches concert, the College of Fine Arts will host a 6:45 p.m. reception in Griffith Gallery honoring the event's corporate sponsor, BancorpSouth of Nacogdoches. At 7 p.m. pianist Andrew Parr, SFA professor of music, will give an informative talk on the concert.

Tickets are $30 for A seating, $24 for B seating and $15 for C seating, with discounts available for seniors, students and children. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.