Pianist at The Ritz

     Main Street Toccoa will host a concert on Thursday, March 16, 7 p.m. at the historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Toccoa.
      The program will feature Piatigorsky Foundation artist Victor Asuncion on the piano.
     This is the sixth year that Main Street Toccoa has partnered with the Piatigorsky Foundation to bring world class music to Toccoa.
     For more than 25 years, the Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated many avid concert goers as well as curious first-timers.  
     It is this combination of complimentary access, flamboyant performances, and human warmth that makes Piatigorsky Foundation concerts so appealing to diverse audiences.  
     Last season, the Foundation presented a mini-tour of six concerts in Georgia reaching over 475 people in Newnan, Hartwell, Duluth and Toccoa.  
     Likewise, this year The Piatigorsky Foundation aims to reach hundreds of people across Georgia to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music in communities throughout the state.    
    Hailed by The Washington Post for his “poised and imaginative playing,” pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion is recognized as an artist of innate musical sensitivity, fiery temperament and superb technique.  
     As a recitalist and concerto soloist, he has appeared in major concert halls in Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and the Philippines.
     He played his orchestral debut at the age of 18 with the Manila Chamber Orchestra and his New York recital debut in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in 1999.      In addition, he has worked with conductors including Sergio Esmilla, Enrique Batiz, Zev Dorman, Arthur Weisberg, Corrick Brown, David Loebel, Leon Fleisher, Michael Stern and Bobby McFerrin.  
     He was on the chamber music faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School, as well as the Garth Newel Summer Music Festival.  
     Asuncion is sought after as a piano, vocal, and chamber music coach.  He received his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in 2007 from the University of Maryland at College Park.  
     Evan Drachman established The Piatigorsky Foundation in 1990 in honor of his grandfather Gregor Piatigorsky.
     Piatigorsky deeply believed in the healing and inspirational power of classical music.  
     He once said, “Music makes life better.  Music is a necessity.  It is rich.  It is imaginative.  It is magnificent.  And it is for everyone.”  
     The Piatigorsky Foundation is committed to carrying on Piatigorsky’s mission by evoking cultural curiosity through educational and accessible live performances.