"In this program, the first two pieces are quite well known, especially the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto," said Paavo Järvi. "It's probably the most popular of the 20th century piano concertos, which became even more familiar since the film 'Shine.' There are simply very few people in the same league of pianists as Yefim Bronfman and I am very much looking forward to having him back on our stage performing this music."

Scriabin is an important voice in a strong line of Russian composers. His very individual style combines Russian romantic soul with forward-looking impressionistic "colors" that create a unique and transparent sound world.

Audiences are invited to learn more about the music at Classical Conversations with Paavo Järvi one hour before the performances. Classical Conversations is presented by Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
The CSO thanks The Macy's Fund of the Federated Department Stores Foundation for its generous sponsorship of these concerts. The Fine Arts Fund Partner for these concerts is Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Yefim Bronfman

Yefim Bronfman has earned consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings. He made his Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra debut in 1988 and has performed with the CSO numerous times since then, most recently in May 2004.

Highlights of Mr. Bronfman's recent season included concerts with the major American orchestras, a duo recital tour and recording with flutist Emmanuel Pahud, and a tour of Germany with the Tonhalle Orchestra and David Zinman. He toured the Far East with his trio partners, Gil Shaham and Truls Mørk, and performed with Valery Gergiev at the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.

An exclusive Sony Classical recording artist, Mr. Bronfman has won widespread praise for his recordings. He won a Grammy award in 1997 for his recording of the three Bartók Piano Concertos with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His discography also includes the complete Prokofiev Piano Sonatas; all five of the Prokofiev Piano Concertos, nominated for both Grammy and Gramophone awards; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3; and numerous recital albums.

Yefim Bronfman was born in Tashkent, in the Soviet Union, on April 10, 1958. He immigrated to Israel with his family in 1973, and made his international debut two years later with Zubin Mehta and the Montreal Symphony. He made his New York Philharmonic debut in May l978, his Washington recital debut in March l98l at the Kennedy Center and his New York recital debut in January 1982 at the 92nd Street Y. He became an American citizen in July 1989. In 1991, Mr. Bronfman was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, one of the highest honors given to American instrumentalists. -- www.cincinnatisymphony.org