Salanki

 

Following a magical Peppermint Pops in December, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra begins the New Year with a blockbuster lineup Saturday evening at the MSU Riley Center.

The concert’s centerpiece features Hedi Salanki-Rubardt, who will perform “Bach’s Concerto for Harpsichord in A Major” as well as the “Concerto in D minor.”

About Hedi Salanki

“A true artist – a consummate musician.”

“She plumbed the expressive depths with a force that was almost shocking.”

“Salanki’s playing was distinguished by naturalness, grace, and a feeling of flow.”

These are only a few of the accolades that Hedi Salanki has garnered from music critics in the course of becoming one of today’s foremost performers of a wide repertoire of solo and chamber music for the piano and harpsichord.

Recent and upcoming engagements include teaching and performing at the Prestissimo International Music Festival in Pennsylvania, teaching and lecturing at the Lancaster International Piano Festival, judging and performing at the Maria Clara Cullell International Piano Competition in Costa Rica, judging a Piano Competition in Kunming China, performing at the San Jose International Baroque Festival in Costa Rica, judging at the Isidor Bajic International Piano Competition in Novi Sad, Serbia, performing at the World Piano Conference in Serbia, judging the United States Open Music Competition in California, performing in Florida and Pennsylvania, lecturing and performing in Fuzhou, China. 

Dr. Salanki is a Distinguished University Professor of Music at the University of West Florida, where she is the director of the piano program and chamber music. She teaches piano performance, harpsichord performance, keyboard interpretation, ear training (Kodaly-method solfege), musical structure and style, and chamber music.  She is also active as a guest instructor and clinician.

A native of Hungary, Salanki has appeared with the New Jersey Symphony, the New York Chamber Orchestra, I Solisti New York, the Syracuse Symphony, the Pensacola Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Mobile Symphony and numerous chamber ensembles. She has performed solo, duo and lecture recitals in Europe, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Costa Rica. Among her recordings on the Pantheon, Priceless, Laserlight, and Prince Productions labels are many significant works of Bach, including the Goldberg Variations (nominated for Ovation Magazine’s Debut Artist of the Year Award), the Concerti, and the complete English Suites.  She has also recorded Scarlatti Sonatas, Telemann Overtures, and a French Baroque program.

Salanki earned a doctorate in Harpsichord Performance from the Juilliard School, as well as degrees and diplomas in piano performance and pedagogy from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and the Bartok Conservatory in Budapest, and Rutgers University. From 1994 to 1998, Salanki served as founding artistic director of the Four Seasons Baroque Ensemble, garnering critical acclaim for artistic excellence and innovative programming.

For Saturday’s Winter Classical Concert presented by the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Rossini’s crowd-pleasing “Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri” will serve as the opener. Following intermission comes Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7 in A major,” considered by many to be his most complete symphony.

“This concert features an enticing mix of music from the High Baroque period and music from the peak of the Classical era,” MSO Music Director and Conductor Peter Rubardt said. “One could fairly consider Johann Sebastian Bach to be the fountainhead of all classical music,” Rubardt said. “He was the ultimate master of the twin pillars of classical music: counterpoint and harmony. He solidified the musical language of the High Baroque, establishing the bedrock that music rested on until the 20th century. Every performer has a life-long relationship with Bach, and every chance to perform his music is something we look forward to. This is a particularly special performance for me, as it is one of the rare opportunities I have to share the stage with Hedi Salanki, a brilliant harpsichordist, as well as my much, much better half.”

Rubardt continued, “Beethoven came at the end of the Classical era. He took the ideas of Haydn and Mozart and projected them forcefully into the Romantic era. He influenced the course of music like no other composer … His seventh is perhaps the most celebrated of them all, particularly for the famous Allegretto 2nd movement. Used brilliantly in the soundtrack of ‘The Kings Speech,’ it is a transcendent musical experience.”

The popular Preconcert Notes hosted by Dr. John McEachin, will be held at 6 p.m. in Room 3-C at The MSU Riley Center and features Dr. Rubardt, players and guest artists in a fun, informative session of commentary and Q&A.

A Gala Reception honoring the guest artist will be held immediately following the concert in the Grand Lobby.

 

Want to go?

What: MSO’s Winter Classical Concert

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: MSU Riley Center, downtown Meridian

Tickets: Adults, $35; Military-Active or Retired,$15; Students of any age, $10. For tickets, visit The Riley Center Box Office Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 601-696-2200 You can also visit the MSO website at meridianso.org or purchase at the door after 6 p.m. on the night of the performance.