The Barton County Community College music department will host a guest artist recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, located in the college’s Fine Arts Building, F-157. This event is free and open to the public.
The recital will feature Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, assistant professor of music at Fort Hays State University. Ravitskaya enjoys a dynamic performing and teaching career that has taken her across Europe and the United States. She previously has taught on the faculties of Indiana University and Boise State University. Her husband, Oleg Ravitskiy, became Barton Community College’s new life science instructor in January.
Born in Moldova, Russia (former Soviet Union), Ravitskaya began playing the piano at age 6, and at age 9, she won the National Competition of Moldova. She had her first musical training in her native town, where she attended the State School of Music. At age 16, she won the Young Artists State Competition, followed by an invitation to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have been broadcast on National Radio and Moldova State Television. She later studied at Moldova State Conservatory.
Immigrating to the United States in 1995 opened new opportunities for Ravitskaya. She received her Doctor of Music degree in piano performance with Luba Edlina-Dubinsky, a member of world famous Borodin Trio, at Indiana University and her Master of Music degree with Del Parkinson at Boise State University. She also studied chamber music with Nelli Shkolnikova, James Campbell, Paul Biss, and Miriam Fried.
Ravitskaya’s repertoire encompasses works from Baroque to Modern, with a particular interest in the music of Beethoven, Chopin and Russian composers. Orchestral engagements include Moldova State Philharmonic, Moldova National Orchestra, Boise State Symphony Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Indiana University Symphony Orchestra, South Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Hays Community Orchestra and Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra. Aside from extensive solo engagements, she is in demand as a chamber and vocal collaborator.
Her secondary area of interest is music history. Her doctoral dissertation on Shostakovich’s works composed between 1930 and 1936 is undergoing final preparations for publishing. A highly sought-after lecturer, Ravitskaya has given numerous lectures and presentations on such subjects as Beethoven’s late quartets, Brahms’ piano trios, Russian piano music, Shostakovich, quotation in music, etc.
More information about the recital can be obtained by contacting Barton’s keyboard instructor Karole Erikson, 620-792-9384.
