Eduardo Rojas
Pianist Eduardo Rojas will be joining the Richmond Symphony under the baton of Richmond Symphony Associate Conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin for performances of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major by Franz Liszt as part of our Altria Masterworks 3 on November 16 & 17 – click here to purchase tickets.
We’re thrilled to announce that in addition to performing with the symphony, Eduardo Rojas will teach a masterclass for student pianists at the University of Richmond on Friday, November 15 from 10:30 am to noon at Perkinson Recital Hall at the University of Richmond. Students, parents, teachers, friends: all are invited to attend this very special event, which is free and open to the public.
Eduardo Rojas plays Rachmaninoff: Prelude in B flat Major, Op. 23 No. 2
From Eduardo’s Press Biography:
Colombia’s celebrated classical music star, virtuoso pianist Eduardo Rojas, is renowned for his delicate touch, colorful tone and the deep musicality with which he delivers his powerful, fiery renditions of European and PanAmerican repertoire. His flawless technique, vast knowledge of composition theory and historical background of the works he choses to present, earn him the admiration and respect of fellow musicians and critics while his big heart, courage and humanity win him the love of his audiences.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Eduardo Rojas began taking piano lessons with his father, Eduardo Rojas, at the age of five. At age thirteen he entered the University of Cauca where he completed his studies under the tutelage of Uruguayan pianist Manfred Gerhardt. In 2005 he was awarded a full scholarship to Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Rojas received his Artist Diploma in 2009 and his Master in Piano Performance in 2011. His piano teachers included Harold Martina, Veda Kaplinsky, Joseph Kalichstein, José Feghali, and Steve Harlos.
Eduardo Rojas has performed as soloist works by Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Grieg and others with the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, the Bogotá Philharmonic, Valle Philharmonic (Cali, Colombia), EAFIT University Symphony Orchestra (Medellín, Colombia), the Panamá National Symphony Orchestra (Panama City), the American Wind Symphony (Pennsylvania), New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving (Texas), the Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), and the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra (Wisconsin). His tour with the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Colombia was a great success and marked the start of an active relationship between Rojas and Colombia’s system of youth orchestras, the Batuta Foundation.
In addition to his concertizing and recording schedule Eduardo Rojas devotes time to support programs for music education and cultural exchange between North and South America.
MASTER CLASS with Eduardo Rojas, piano
Friday, November 15 from 10:30 am – noon
Perkinson Recital Hall, University of Richmond
FREE and open to the public
Petrarch Sonnet No. 123
Petrarch Sonnet No. 104
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Sarah Shen, piano
Sarah Shen
Sarah Shen from Fairfax, Virginia, is a classically trained pianist, majoring in music at the University of Richmond, and a student of Richard Becker. She is a part of Chamber Ensembles on campus and has been playing piano since age five. In addition to studying music, she is also pursuing studies in Chemistry and is heavily involved in undergraduate research at UR.
Étude, Op. 10, No. 3 in E Major
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Liebestraum, No. 3 in A flat
Franz Liszt
Yaxin Xiao, piano
Elva Xiao
Yaxin “Elva” Xiao is an international student from China and a music scholar at the University of Richmond. She is a student of Richard Becker majoring in music with a minor in economics. Yaxin Xiao has played the piano for 15 years and describes it as “my most valuable experience”. She is also passionate about travel, photography, and outdoor activities.
Walter Bitner 