Prize Winning Pianist Makes Symphony Debut

Pianist Michale Malakouti is set to make his debut with the Redlands Symphony on perhaps the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day. Malakouti, a recent grand prize winner of the University of Redlands Concerto Competition, will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in concert on Saturday, Feb. 14, in the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel under the leadership of Maestro Co Nguyen. Doors for the concert open at 7 p.m., with a pre-concert discussion about the performance beginning at 7:15 p.m. The performance will begin at 8 p.m., opening with the overture from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, Jr., and concluding with Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet Suite No. 2. It was Malakouti's winning of the Concerto Competition that won him an invitation to appear as a soloist with the Redlands Symphony. ”This concert – where the Redlands Symphony presents the grand prize winner of the University of Redlands Concerto Competition – is the most visible element of the valuable and unique partnership between the University and the Symphony,” explained Nguyen. “Being able to appear in concert with a major symphony orchestra so early in a young artist’s career is a tremendous opportunity. It’s just one of the ways the Symphony works with the University to promote and support musical excellence among students studying at the University of Redlands’ School of Music.” Currently, Malakouti is completing his Master of Music degree in piano performance at the University, with teacher and performer Louanne Long. He is also a recipient of the Lehigh endowned piano scholarship, a past winner of the President's Honor Recital auditions, and a contestant in the Internal Liszt Competition. In 2013, Malakouti received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Redlands. He began studying music at Riverside Community College with instructors Jasminka Knecht and Judith Johansen. While at RCC, he was the recipient of the Carroll L. and Rose T. Quinn Scholarship and was recognized as the Student of Distinction in Piano. “My true passion is sharing music with others," Malakouti said - and he does this through his performances, teaching and charity work. Single tickets for this performance start at $15 and are available at the door on the night of the performance and online. You may purchase tickets by visiting www.redlandssymphony.com or call the box office at 909-748-8018.