The Sarasvati Trio, featuring violinist Margaret Cooper, cellist Susan Bestul, and pianist Christine Kefferstan, will present a recital at 8:15 p.m., Wednesday (Nov. 17) in the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall (200A) of the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

The program celebrates the development of the piano in a chamber setting, particularly those contributions made by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Clara Schumann. It will include “Trio #564 in G Major” by Mozart, “Two Miniatures” by Frank Bridge and “Trio in g minor, Op. 17” by Schumann.

The program will be a preview of a program that will be part of the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania concert series. The trio will play on the series at the Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Sunday (Nov. 21) at 3 p.m. For more details see www.sswpa.org/concerts.php/

Formed in 2005 in Morgantown and named for the Hindu goddess of all arts, the Sarasvati Trio has appeared for local, regional, national and international audiences.

Violinist Margaret Cooper earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University and spent a year studying Baroque Violin at the Hochschule f�r Musik in Vienna, Austria. She is a professional violinist, violist and teacher who has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe. She is currently a member of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and performs annually at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House in its Bach and Beyond festival. She maintains a private studio of 30 students.

Cellist Susan Bestul received her bachelor’s degree from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, and continued her studies at Yale. From 1979 to 1999, she served as the principal cellist for both the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, in addition to performing frequently with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra. She has toured extensively, including numerous performances in Carnegie Hall. She currently maintains a private teaching studio and performs regularly with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra in Severance Hall.

Pianist Christine Kefferstan maintains an active performing career as soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist. She graduated from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, where she earned her doctorate. Recent international performances include recitals in London at St. Martin-in-the-Fields and a performance for the 2010 British Flute Society with WVU colleague Francesca Arnone. Additional solo performances include recitals at the National Institute of Culture and History in Belize City, Belize, and the Stifel Fine arts Series.

For more information, contact the College of Creative Arts at (304) 293-4359.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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