Three virtuoso pianists will play Steinway concert

CORVALLIS - The Oregon State University Department of Music will present the final performance of the 2008-2009 Steinway Piano Concert Series: "Triple Play!" featuring pianists Rachelle McCabe, Robin McCabe and Craig Sheppard, at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St.

This unusual concert will feature the three virtuoso pianists in rotating duos, performing on two Steinway concert grand pianos, in a dynamic program that begins with the Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos, and includes Ravel's "La Valse," a transcription for two pianos of Leonard Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story" and three traditional Latin American dances for two pianos by William Bolcom. In the finale, the trio will together perform a transcription of Bernstein's "America," transcribed for piano six hands by Derison Duarte.

Well known to audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest, the McCabe sisters and their longtime friend Sheppard, all enjoy international careers as performing artists and professors of music.

Originally from Puyallup, Wash., Robin and Rachelle McCabe have performed solo and in duo in Corvallis and have been featured with the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra on several occasions.

Robin McCabe is currently director of the School of Music at the University of Washington, where she earned her bachelor's degree and studied with Bela Siki. Robin earned her master's and doctorate from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Rudolf Firkusny. The winner of numerous prizes and awards, Robin has delighted audiences across the United States, Europe, Canada, South American and the Far East. McCabe will step down from the directorship at the University of Washington after 15 years of service, to return to full-time teaching and performing, and will do so with the honor of the Donald Petersen Endowed Professorship for 2009 through 2012.

Rachelle McCabe is a professor of music at OSU, where she directs the piano studies program and the Steinway Piano Concert Series. Rachelle also received a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and studied with Bela Siki. She earned her master's degree from The Juilliard School, and her doctorate at the University of Michigan, where she studied with Theodore Lettvin and Gyorgy Sandor. Rachelle has performed extensively in the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia and England. She has appeared on NPR's "Performance Today," and on the CBC and PBS television. In 2008, she adjudicated in the annual Hong Kong Piano Festival, and she is an affiliate artist at LaSalle School of the Arts in Singapore.

Craig Sheppard is the Donald E. Petersen Endowed Professor of Piano in the School of Music at the University of Washington. With a performance career spanning nearly 40 years, he has maintained a strong and enduring presence in the classical music world. In 2008, he gave solo recitals and master classes in four major cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Shenzhen. With an extensive repertoire encompassing more than 40 solo recital programs and 60 concerti, Sheppard has met with great critical acclaim.

CHECK IT OUT

Steinway Piano Concert Series, "Triple Play: Craig Sheppard, Robin McCabe and Rachelle McCabe," 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University. Admission: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors. Children and OSU students admitted free. Tickets available at the box office, Grass Roots Books & Music, Gracewinds Music and Beard's Frame Shop in Corvallis. Information: 758-6822 or

oregonstate.edu/cla/music.