Valentin Kovalev – Sax for Peace

This recital will showcase cherished pieces from the classical saxophone repertoire, in duo sax settings. The concert will reach its climax when Valentin is joined by Scott Devlin and his students, culminating in a double quartet performance that promises to be a dazzling finale with a particularly striking piece.

Valentin Kovalev is a passionate and dedicated classical saxophonist, who is seeking to explore the possibility of positioning the saxophone at the heart of classical music. Named the winner of the most prestigious international competition, such as MTNA Competition (US), Manhattan International Music Competition (US), Classic Winds Competition (Israel), AndorraSaxFest (Andorra), Anches Simples de Toulouse (France), EkaterinburgSaxFest (Russia), GoldenSax (Ukraine), Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France – Foundation pour la vocation, in Russia – Rostropovich Foundation, and in the US – Musical Fund Society. Valentin performed at Carnegie Hall, soloed with many prestigious orchestras in his native Russia, France, and the US, toured ten cities in China, and performed in several countries in Europe. Valentin is a Henri Selmer, Paris artist, and is represented by Astral Artists of Philadelphia.

As the recent winner of the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition, Valentin is excited for his Carnegie Hall Debut Recital in the upcoming season. His musical journey from Siberia to studying saxophone in Moscow, obtaining an undergraduate degree from the esteemed Paris Conservatory, and completing a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan, exemplifies how determination and passion can surpass geographical limitations.

In August 2023, Valentin had the honor of joining the acclaimed electronic dance music violinist, Lindsey Stirling, on stage in Portsmouth, VA for a captivating audience of 6,000 people.

Program:

J.S. Bach – Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude
Ludwig van Beethoven – Duet no.1 for Clarinet and Bassoon, Movement I: Allegro Comodo
Georg PhilippTelemann – Duetto TWV 40:107 I. Affettuoso II. Allegro III. Andante IV. Presto
Vincent David – Selmer Duo: I. Patrik
Barry Cockroft – KuKu
Benjamin Attahir – Étude No.3
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Aria from the Queen of the Night
Dmitri Shostakovich – Waltz No. 2
Darius Milhaud – Jeu
Carlos Gardel – Por Una Cabeza
Cécile Chaminade – Flute Concertino
Astor Piazzolla – Tango Escualo
Pedro Iturralde – Pequeña Czarda
Antonín Dvořák – Slavonic dance (saxophone octet)

Discounted tickets are available for members, students, teachers, frontline workers, veterans, and seniors.

Please bring a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic beverage to share.