UCM Ovation Performance Series Presents All-Beethoven Recital

By Jeff Murphy, March 5, 2020

WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri Ovation Performance Series presents violinist Catherine French and pianist Nina Ferrigno in a free, public recital at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 in Hart Recital Hall, Utt Music Building. The program, “Beethoven at 250: Sonatas for Violin and Piano” commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Canadian violinist Catherine French has been a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1994. In addition to her distinguished orchestral career, she has established herself as a versatile and accomplished soloist and chamber musician. As a winner of three major Canadian music competitions, French has performed as soloist with many leading Canadian orchestras and given recitals throughout North America and Argentina. She was featured with the Juilliard Orchestra and James de Preist, the Boston Pops and John Williams, and at Carnegie Hall in her debut with David Gilbert. Lauded for her "superbly lyric" playing and her "amazing level of artistry" by “Strad Magazine,” French is a dedicated member of the Calyx Piano Trio and Collage New Music. She has recorded for Albany Records.

Nina Ferrigno, described by the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” as "a magnificent pianist," has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), with whom she has been a core member since its inception. She is also a Founder and Artistic Director of the Missouri Chamber Music Festival.

Her festival appearances include those at Tanglewood, Banff, Norfolk, the Skaneateles Festival, and the Carolina Chamber Music Festival. She also appears in recital frequently with members of the St. Louis Symphony.