Free Admission
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood

SHOSTAKOVICH
Concerto for Cello No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op.107

DVORAK
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 (“From the New World”)

Born in Highland Park, cellist BEN FRIED, is carving out a versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician, and composer. He has performed several times on WFMT, and twice on National Public Radio. While a student at Eastman School of Music, he was chosen to to receive the prestigious Performer’s Certificate, and went on to win the school’s concerto competition.

He is a prize winner of the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, the Eastman Honor’s Music Competition, and the St. Paul String Quartet Competition. He performs regularly on tour for the Heifetz International Music Institute, and is a 2018 “artist in residence” at the Festival. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in cello performance at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Andrew Shulman.

Previous cello teachers include Timothy Eddy, Steven Doane and Hans Jensen. He is also a dedicated composer, he studies composition under Morten Lauridsen at USC and frequently performs his own works internationally. Ben will perform the First Concerto of Shostakovich, widely considered to be one of the most difficult concerted works for cello.

The Strings will conclude the season with Dvorak’s New World Symphony, one of the most popular of all symphonies.

The recent concert with the young violinist, Joshua Brown, was marvelous. We took my 8 year old grandson…and he loved it. Just had to tell you how wonderful it is to have HP Strings. Thank you for
starting such an important resource.”
– Judith Levy

“The audience gave the …orchestra standing ovations throughout the performance, but once the concert ended, they wanted more.”
– Gail Tzipporah Saunders, Highland Park Landmark

“The seeds you planted all those years ago continue to blossom and flourish”
– Barbara Render

“To have this group playing classical music with such seriousness and offering free concerts to the community becomes more and more amazing every year. It is a tribute to the sponsorship of the…donors who turn out for the annual benefit concert. To say nothing of the determination of Larry Block,
founder and co-principal cello”
– Dorothy Andries, Pioneer Press