News for Pianist Tao Lin

The Tri-County Concert Association opens its season with a performance by two highly acclaimed musicians, cellist Dmitry Kouzov and pianist Tao Lin, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Yuba City.

"Tao Lin is a stunning pianist," said Joaquina Johnson of TCCA. "He is also a professor of collaborative piano at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University in Florida."

Lin's appearances in Asia, North America and Europe have brought unanimous critical accolades and praise for his subtle, intimate pianism and brilliant technique. A versatile musician, he is equally at home as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician.

"We had dinner with him the last time he performed for the TCCA. He was absolutely delightful to visit with," Johnson said.

Born into a musical family in Shanghai, Lin began piano lessons at age 4, first with his mother and later his father, both on faculty at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The following year saw his first public performance, and at age 8, he gained entrance to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

"Lin's playing is world class. He is a superb technician, beautifully lyrical and communicative with the audience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for people in our community to hear a pianist of his caliber. The audience will love him," Johnson said.

"Dmitry is new to me, but his recordings are beautiful," Johnson said. "We knew he was someone special to bring to our TCCA series."

Kouzov has performed on five continents with orchestras, in solo and duo recitals and in chamber music performances. He has appeared in command performances before Mikhail Gorbachev and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and is a founding and active member of the Manhattan Piano Trio, with whom he has toured extensively throughout United States and captured first prizes at the Plowman and Yellow Springs National Chamber Music competitions.

Kouzov is an assistant professor of cello at the University of Illinois. He also was on faculty at the Juilliard School and Oberlin Conservatory.

Kouzov and Lin are friends and colleagues and have performed these duo recitals for several years, Johnson said.

"Everywhere they have performed, the reviews have been outstanding," Johnson said. "This concert will be a real treat for our Yuba-Sutter audience and should not be missed."

- by Susan Benitez

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Last updated: 11/17/2011