Mainstay Los Angeles violin shop, Benning Violins, will loan fine cellos and cello bows to University of Southern California's International Cello Festival
Benning Violins has announced that it will be lending for use eight master-crafted cellos and 5 fine cello bows to USC’s Piatigorsky International Cello Festival.
The 10-day cello extravaganza – presented by the University of California Thornton School of Music and the Los Angeles Philharmonic – will showcase 26 international cellists representing 15 countries and 4 continents.
“Benning Violins is a mainstay of the classical music community,” stated Jeffrey de Caen, Associate Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music and Executive Administrator of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. “They have generously assisted both the 2012 and 2016 festivals. We’re pleased to call them a friend as well as a sponsor.”
According to violinmaker Eric Benning, the festival will offer ideal opportunities to experience some of the finest instruments produced by his family’s renowned Los Angeles-based violin shop, including three cellos crafted by Benning himself.
“It’s an honor to continue our long association with the Piatigorsky Festival,” said Benning. “This festival will provide a rare opportunity to experience three of my cellos in performance in the hands of extremely capable cellists.”
Cellos loaned to the festival include:
- 2004 Eric Benning cello, Los Angeles
- 2011 Eric Benning cello, Los Angeles
- 2015 Eric Benning cello, Los Angeles
- 1980 Hans & Nancy Benning cello, Los Angeles
- 1963 Nancy Benning cello, Mittenwald
- 1860 Charles Plumerel cello, France
- 1943 Helmuth Ellersieck cello, Los Angeles
- 1913 Laberle-Humbert Freres cello, Mirecourt
Cellist Alessio Pianelli will perform on 2015 Eric Benning cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
May 20 at 10:00 AM, Master Class with Colin Carr
Cellist Yoon Kyung Cho will perform on 2011 Eric Benning cello:
May 17 at 3:00 PM, Master Class with Raphael Walifisch
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
Cellist Konstantin Bruns will perform on the Plumerel cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
May 18 at 3:00 PM, Master Class with Mischa Maisky
Cellist Maciej Kulakowski will perform on the Laberle-Humbert Freres cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
May 18 at 3:00 PM, Master Class with Mischa Maisky
Cellist Hannah Roberts will perform on the Helmuth Ellersieck cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
Cellist Nigel Hirst will perform on the Nancy Benning cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
Cellist Kyung Jun Lee will perform on the 1980 Hans & Nancy Benning cello:
May 17 at 8:00 PM, Massed Cello Ensemble
May 22 at 3:00 PM, Master Class with Frans Helmerson
Cello bows loaned to the festival include:
- A cello bow by David Samuels that will be played by cellist Yoon Kyung Cho
- A cello bow by Pascal Camurat that will be played by cellist Hannah Roberts
- A cello bow by W.D. Watson that will be played by cellist Nigel Hirsh
- A cello bow by Ole Kanestrom that will be played by cellist Konstantin Bruns
- A cello bow by S. Finkel that will be played by cellist Alessio Pianelli
For more information about the festival including events and ticketing, please visit:
http://piatigorskyfestival.usc.edu/
