Elena Kraineva and Michael Delfín present a program for Viola d’Amore and Harpsichord. The audience will hear compositions by Heinrich Ignaz, Franz Biber, Christoph Graupner, Domenico Scarlatti, and more. The highlights of the program are the Suites for Viola d’Amore from the manuscript found in the Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig in Lower Austria. Some of these suites are examples of the earliest compositions for string instruments.
Tickets are not required for this event.
About Michael Delfin: Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair on both the modern piano and historical keyboards. Mr. Delfín won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. He is the recipient of the Bourbon Baroque Nicolas Fortin Scholarship, the Historical Keyboard Society of North America Bechtel/Clinkscale Scholarship, and the Catacoustic Consort Early Music Grant. As a pianist, Mr. Delfin has won prizes in the International Crescendo Music Awards, Chautauqua International Piano Competition, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include solo recitals for the Western Early Keyboard Association and Central California Baroque Festival, and solo appearances with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, the CCM Concert Orchestra, the American Chamber Symphony, and at The Stone in NYC and the Ear Taxi New Music Festival. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song for Ablaze Records, to be released in 2024. Mr. Delfín is the artistic director of Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque and the harpsichordist for the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas. He recently joined the faculties of Cedarville University and Xavier University and has served on the continuo staff of the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. He was also recently appointed to the Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and the Historical Keyboard Society of North America’s board of directors. He makes his home with his wife and son in Cincinnati, where he serves as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. A native of Fresno, CA, Mr. Delfín holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University. www.michaeldelfin.com
About Elena Kraineva: Elena Kraineva actively performs internationally and in the US as a soloist on the viola d’amore and modern viola with different chamber music groups, including: Harmonie Universelle (USA), Musical Offering and Duo Vitruviani. She gives solo recitals in Austria, Germany, Brazil, Poland, Canada, and Switzerland. She appeared as a soloist with Soli Deo Gloria Bach Project with Chicago Symphony and conductor John Nelson. Her recording of the trio sonatas by Graupner with Harmonie Universelle was released in 2016. Ms. Kraineva holds a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University where she studied with Atar Arad and Stanley Ritchie. Dr. Kraineva studied with Michael Kimber whose “Fantasia” for solo viola d’amore she premiered at the International Viola d’Amore Congress 2022 in Germany. She is a winner of the Moscow Viola Competition and performed solo recitals in the Grand Hall of the Gnesin Institute in Moscow. She was also a concertmistress with the Moscow Ensemble of Violists. An active educator, Dr. Kraineva has given master classes in the US, Germany, Canada, Brazil, and Russia.