Gabriel Cabezas is no stranger to Decatur audiences who have long admired his radiance and passion. The virtuoso Cellist returns to Millikin University on Saturday, Oct. 22, to join forces with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra in concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
This thrilling program features Brahms'"Hungarian Dance" No. 1, joyful "Symphony" No. 2 and Gabriel Cabezas performing Dvorak's sublime "Cello Concerto."
Gabriel Cabezas is one of America's most sought after young musicians. Combining a superb technique, intellectual curiosity and a pioneering musical spirit, Cabezas is at home in front of an orchestra, performing with a singer-songwriter or sharing the stage with a dance troupe.
Cabezas has appeared as soloist with America's finest orchestras, including those of Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Pittsburgh and Nashville. An avid chamber musician, he tours with Musicians from Marlboro and has collaborated with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mitsuko Uchida. Cabezas is also a member of the New York sextet yMusic, hailed by NPR's Fred Child as "one of the groups that has really helped to shape the future of classical music."
Cabezas studied at the Curtis Institute of Music with Carter Brey, and is a recipient of the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation Career Grant. He is a winner of the 2014 Astral Artists National Auditions, and joins this presenting and promotional organization's roster of America's finest young soloists and chamber musicians.
A committed advocate for community engagement and education programs across the country, Cabezas is involved with Midori's Partners in Performance, the Sphinx Organization and Chicago's Citizen Musician movement. Cabezas was two-time first place Laureate at the Sphinx competition in the Junior Division in 2006 and in the Senior Division in 2012. In addition, he is a recipient of the 2015 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, awarded annually to emerging classical artists of color, who, early in their professional career demonstrate the following qualities: artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination and ongoing commitment to leadership.
Tickets for the concert at Kirkland Fine Arts Center are $13-$16.50 and are available through the Kirkland Fine Arts Center Ticket Office by phone at 217.424.6318 or online at kirklandfinearts.com. Kirkland Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. A $2.50 fee will be charged for credit card purchases. This is a per transaction fee, not per ticket, and applies to online and Ticket Office orders.
Concerts of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur.