Hye-Jin Kim and Susanne Son Perform at Library

On Sunday, classical music rang through the halls of the with a dual concert from violinist Hye-Jin Kim and pianist Susanne Son. Kim and Son performed a series of five passionate segments from Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Leos Janáček (1854-1928), Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

The Strad magazine praised Kim, the winner of the 2009 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, for “supreme musical playing well-thought out, yet of the moment.” When she was just 19, Kim received first prize in 2004 in the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition. On March 8, Kim will make her recital debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as part of the Concert Artists Guild winners’ series.

This duo first met and performed together at the Curtis Institute of Music. Previously, Son was also the staff pianist for The Curtis Institute of Music and is the official pianist for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Sound All Around series. She is a two-time recipient of a Canada Council Grant, a winner of the Canadian Music Competition and has received the Chalmers Award from the Ontario Arts Council. At the age of 12, Son debuted with the Toronto Symphony and has also played with the Philadelphia and Minnesota Orchestras.

Following Kim and Son presentation of Leos Janáček’s Con moto, Ballade, Allegretto and Adagio, Harry Eng, an East Meadow resident, exclaimed, “The piece was very refreshing.”

Prior to performing five pieces from Jean Sibelius, the pair took a short break and Richard Weinert, president of the Concert Artists Guild, highlighted a few upcoming Sunday concerts including Brasil Guitar Duo: João Luiz and Douglas Lora on March 27 and Sebastian Bäverstamon on April 10.

The East Meadow Public Library Sunday concert series is supported with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts and help and coordination from the Friends of East Meadow Public Library.

“The friends help us with volunteering and programming,” said Jude Schanzer, director of public relations and programming for the library. “The most important thing they do is act as advocates for the library.” Schanzer went on to further explain the benefits of joining the Friends of East Meadow Public Library for just $5.00. To learn more about the Sunday concert series and becoming a friend of the East Meadow Public Library, click here.

“I thought it was lovely and I enjoyed it immensely and they are so talented,” added Lottie Dellapiazza, a Massapequa Park resident, at the conclusion of the concert.