Great Pianists From Two Generations, Anita And Dmitri Ratser, To Join In Concert at UTD

RICHARDSON, Texas (March 5, 2004) — Richardson will experience virtuosity times two when award-winning Russian pianists Dmitri Ratser and his daughter, Anita, perform together in concert as part of The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Classical Series Saturday, April 17, at 8 p.m. at the UTD Conference Center.

  In a concert made possible by a gift from Lord & Taylor, two generations of talent will grace the stage as this father/daughter duo perform Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli , d minor, op.42, Sonata #2 in b flat minor, op.36, the world premiere of Capriccio on a Gypsy Themes, op.12 in E major (author’s transcription for four hands) and Suite #1 (“Phantasie”) for two pianos, op .5, in g minor.

Dmitri Ratser, one of the soloists for the Moscow Philharmonic, has been praised internationally for his amazing talent as a performer and interpreter of Sergei Rachmaninoff and is one of the few pianists who regularly perform Rachmaninoff’s complete works for piano and orchestra as a part of his repertoire.   In fact, he is so highly regarded for this distinction that he performed at the ceremonies opening the composer’s birthplace home as a museum in the village of Ivanovka.  

Daughter Anita, 17, showed her talent for music at a very early age.   By 8, she had made her concert debut with the Moscow Radio Orchestra, performing the f minor Piano Concerto by J.S. Bach.   A frequent performer at the best-known concert halls in Moscow, Ms. Ratser’s performance of Greig’s Piano Concerto in a minor earned her first prize in the 2003 Lennox Young Artists Competition of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO).   This award, which is designed to provide opportunities to young artists while showcasing and perpetuating what is best in humanity, allowed Anita to perform with the RSO last March under the direction of maestro Anshel Brusilow.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults, $10 for students of other schools and free to UTD students.   UTD ticket office hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the door one hour prior to show time.   To purchase tickets using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, please call 972-883-2787.   

For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UTD, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787), e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu or visit the School of Arts and Humanities’ web site at www.utdallas.edu/ah .   Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator 1-800-RELAYVV.

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls more than 13,700 students.   The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores.   The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.   For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s Web site at www.utdallas.edu .