Indiana University Health, La Porte Hospital

Classic Concert - Celestial Splendor

• Andrius Zlabys, Pianist
• Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 3:00 pm
• Elston Performing Arts Center, Michigan City

• Purchase Tickets here or phone 219 362-9020
• Angelo Bernacchi Greenhouses, 1010 Fox Street, La Porte
• La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Marquette Mall, 4073 S Franklin St, Michigan City
• Arturo’s Baked Goods and More, 624 Wabash Street, Michigan City
• Rohe Therapy, 5934 U.S. Hwy 6, Portage, IN 46368
• Tickets: $18 Adult, $15 Senior (65+), Students FREE
• Sponsored by: IU Health La Porte Hospital
• Funding in part by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Northern Indiana Affiliate. The 4th Annual-Northern Indiana Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is April 28, 2012,  at The Cove, South Bend.

An afternoon of classical music begins with a world-renowned pianist performing Beethoven’s serene, Concerto No. 4 and ends with the bold and heroic Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius. The concert will begin with a dialogue between piano and orchestra as guest artist Andrius Zlabys brings eloquence and masterful strength to his interpretation of Beethoven’s most intimate concerto. “The work has been described as achieving a sense of spiritual peace. It’s a poetic and rather introspective work exploring many nuances of thought and expression,” notes maestro Bauman. “Hailed by the La Times as ‘Contemplative and mesmerizing,’ Andrius will masterfully bring out the tenderness and serenity Beethoven achieves in no other his concertos,” says Bauman. “This is a perfect pairing of artist and composition.”

Grammy nominated Zlabys began piano studies at the age of six in his native Lithuania. Eleven years later, he began his US education. Learning from masters at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Yale Institute of Music, Curtis Institute of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy he went on to perform with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra.

Heroic on many different levels, this PINK concert is dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The orchestra is delighted to announce that those attending the concert and wearing something pink will receive a special gift. Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital will distribute a coupon for a FREE routine mammogram to any women and a Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening to any men who are wearing some form of the color pink to the concert (certain restrictions apply). When asked about the coupon gift to concertgoers, Mr. Thordarson explained, “IU Health La Porte Hospital’s mission is to improve the health of our patients and communities.  290,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the U.S.  The earlier we can detect it, the better the chance of survival.  If even one life is saved as a result of the free screenings, it will be worth it.”

Susan G. Komen spokesperson Nikia Hammonds-Blakely will return to the orchestra stage after intermission to honor four musicians who are breast cancer survivors. Nikia will share her talents at the concert and more importantly sing and speak during the week preceding the event through collaborations with area schools and IU Health La Porte Hospital.

To complete the Sunday afternoon concert, La Porte’s orchestra will execute a bold and unconventional work, Symphony No. 2 by Sibelius. This highly dramatic symphony exudes many raw emotions through a fierce display of musical energy and determination before achieving a resounding victory. Sibelius paints a musical picture of triumph befitting the sentiment of our PINK concert. The uplifting spirit of the afternoon’s music will rejuvenate patrons and send them off with a renewed sense of optimism. One the many gifts offered to the community by the LCSO. 

An additional event in collaboration with Purdue University North Central

It is quite remarkable to have Mr. Zlabys in Michigan City and it is only possible from a relationship formed in Europe with a professor of English at Purdue University North Central who is also a violinist in the LCSO, Paul Hecht. In collaborative efforts, as a preview to Sunday’s concert, PNC will hold a free recital on Thursday March 1, Zlabys will perform a solo piano recital at noon in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Room 144. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m. A limited number of reserved parking spaces will be available in PNC parking lot 1. Admission to this recital is free, but seating very limited. To make a reservation, email recital@pnc.edu or call Liz Bernel, PNC coordinator of Special Events and Marketing at 219-785-5719. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Bernel. Additional information is available at www.pnc.edu/odyssey/zlabys.html

Mr. Zlabys will present a Master Class for pianists on March 1st at PNC. Those who would like to attend may contact Bernel for details. Recital event sponsors include the PNC College of Liberal Arts, the PNC Chancellor's Diversity Fund; the PNC Odyssey 2011 - 2012 Arts and Cultural Events Series; Michigan City Paper Box and Blue Chip Casino.