THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Music presents
Guest Artist Recital of Moni Simeonov, violin
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
7:30 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All…
Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers.
Recording Notice: This performance may be recorded. Please note that members of the audience may at times be included in this process. By attending this performance you consent to have your image or likeness appear in any live or recorded video or other transmission or reproduction made in conjunction to the performance.
Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.
2
Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81
Antonin Dvorak
Allegro, ma non tanto (1841–1904)
Dumka: Andante con moto
Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
Finale: Allegro
Benjamin Sung and Moni Simeonov, violin
Laurel Yu, viola; Thu Vo, cello
David Kalhous, piano
INTERMISSION
String Sextet in D Minor, “Souvenir de Florence,” Op. 70
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Allegro con spirito (1840–1893)
Adagio cantabile e con moto
Allegretto moderato
Allegro con brio e vivace
Moni Simeonov and Benjamin Sung, violin
Luiz Carlos Barrionuevo and Ahdiyah Horton, viola
Greg Sauer and Mitchell George, cello
PROGRAM
ABOUT THE ARTIST
A native of Bulgaria, Moni Simeonov began playing the violin at age 5, and ten years later, came to the United States on a full scholarship to the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Opera, Ensemble San Francisco, and until recently, was the Concertmaster for the Sacramento Philharmonic. He has also served as a guest concertmaster with Reno Philharmonic, Louisiana Philharmonic and the Pacific Symphony. His doctoral studies included minor fields in Viola Performance, Schenkerian Analysis, Japanese Language, as well as an emphasis on the interpretation of the Balkan folk music.
On tour and in Los Angeles, Simeonov dedicates considerable time and energy to community engagement work and to musical activities and presentations for young people. Simeonov has performed and coached alongside Midori for her Orchestra Residencies Program American and International tours. Until 2014, he served as a director for the program. Outreach activities have taken him to places as diverse as homeless shelters in Peru and at-risk centers in Tennessee, to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon, and hospitals for the terminally ill in Sri Lanka.
Simeonov’s summer teaching includes engagements with the Interlochen Summer Festival, the Singapore Violin Festival, and the Atlantic Music Festival. Simeonovi is also the founder of Bulgaria’s first chamber music academy –“Quartet Intensive” in Sofia.
Simeonov has concertized and taught around the United States, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His recordings have been archived by PBS, NPR, KUSC, Bulgarian National Radio and TV, as well as Japanese Broadcasting Company – NHK.
Simeonov received the BM degree and PC from the Eastman School of Music under Zvi Zeitlin, the MM degree and AD from Yale University with Ani Kavafian, and the GC and DMA degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Midori.
Simeonov served as Adjunct Instructor at the Thornton School of Music until 2014. That year, he was appointed Director of String Studies and Violin Professor with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. Simeonov is also the creator of zenviolin.com.
