Violinist and composer Mark O'Connor is widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America and surely one of the brightest talents of his generation.
"one of the most spectacular journeys in recent American music." -- The New York Times
"genius." -- St. Louis Post Dispatch & Baltimore Sun
"one of the most talented and imaginative...working in music -- any music -- today." -- Los Angeles Times
"brilliantly original." -- Seattle Times
"informed and engaging,". -- The Washington Post
"The audience was on its feet. I'm certain that at least some of the concert-goers were moved not merely by Mr. O'Connor's solo, as exciting as it was, but by its having come on the heels of the orchestral piece ("American Seasons"). They were moved by Mr. O'Connor's journey without maps, cheering for the only musician today who can reach so deeply first into the refined, then the vernacular, giving his listeners a complex, sophisticated piece of early-21st-century classical music and then knocking them dead with the brown-dirt whine of a Texas fiddle." -- The New York Times
A product of America's rich aural folk tradition as well as being a Classical and Flamenco music student in his formative years, Mr. O'Connor's creative journey began at the feet of the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling in the 1940's, Benny Thomasson, and a French jazz violinist who was considered one of the greatest improvisers in the history of the violin, Stephane Grappelli. Along the way, between these marvelous musical extremes, Mark O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now, at age 47, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American Classical music, and is perpetuating his vision of an American School of string playing. The Los Angeles Times warmly noted he has "crossed over so many boundaries, that his style is purely personal."
Yo-Yo Ma has recorded the solo cello version of "Appalachia Waltz" and frequently performs it in recital. Renee Fleming has performed and recorded Mr. O'Connor's vocal song arrangements he composed for her. The Eroica Trio has recorded and performs his “Poets and Prophets Piano Trio No. 1," a piece they commissioned from him in 2003. Sharon Isbin has recorded his duet for violin and guitar, several top classical violinists are performing his "Caprices" in recital, his flute concerto "The Fallen" has been performed by a number of flutists and is slated for recording, Dance troupes, including Twyla Tharp Dance Co., the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, are staging and choreographing to Mr. O'Connor's expressive American music.
The recipient of numerous commissioning grants, including "Meet the Composer," Mr. O'Connor received a commission from the McKim Fund of Library of Congress for a new violin sonata which he premiered in that year at the Library. Mr. O'Connor received a commission from fifteen symphony orchestras in 2007 to compose his Americana Symphony slated to be released on CD by the Baltimore Symphony in 2009. He was commissioned by the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the La Jolla Chamber Music Festival for his “String Quartet No. 2” (Bluegrass) in 2005, and was subsequently commissioned by the Hudson Qudricentennial Project in New York for his “String Quartet No. 3” (Old-Time) in 2008. His 40-minute a cappella "Folk Mass" received its world premiere in February in New York City, performed by Gloriae Dei Cantores, the choral ensemble that commissioned the piece. The Folk Mass recording was released in late 2008. Mr. O'Connor is currently commissioned for a "triple" concerto for the Sony/BMG artists, Ahn Trio to be premiered in 2009.
Mark O'Connor has appeared in concert at The White House, the Presidential Inauguration Celebration and the ceremonies of Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Games for which he composed "Olympic Reel." He is often featured on major network television shows, and past appearances include "CBS Sunday Morning," "Great Performances" on PBS, and the "Kennedy Center Honors."
Mr. O'Connor regularly gives two-day residencies, lecture/demonstrations, or workshops at many schools of music including The Juilliard School of Music, Harvard, Rice University, SUNY Fredonia, University Of Texas, Curtis Institute, Berklee College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Tanglewood, and Aspen Summer Festival... Mr. O'Connor is the inaugural Herb Alpert School Of Music Artist in Residence at UCLA for the 2008-2009 season. Mr. O'Connor generously donates his time in support of a number of organizations that promote music education and outreach, including Opus 118, Midori and Friends and Sphinx. He serves on the advisory panel for the selection of the Kennedy Center Honors. He is the founder and president of the internationally recognized Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp and String Camp held in Tennessee and coming to New York City in 2009. Mr. O'Connor was the Festival Director for the Seattle Symphony Summerfest at Benaroya Hall for three weeks in the summer of 2008 with an all star line up of international renowned artists.
Mr. O'Connor resides in New York City. (read more)
ERIC STOMBERG enjoys a wide-ranging musical career as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and pedagogue. He is quickly becoming one of the most sought after bassoonists in the country with numerous invitations to present recitals and masterclasses at conservatories and schools of music across the country. His students have gone on to study at prestigious conservatories and schools of music while former students also hold orchestral positions in the United States and Australia.
Stomberg maintains an active teaching and performing schedule with positions as Instructor of Bassoon at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Associate Professor of Bassoon at the University of Kansas, and as a member of the chamber orchestra, City Music Cleveland. Prior to this appointment, he spent ten years as a member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
In the summer, Stomberg teaches at the world-renowned, Interlochen Arts Camp, where he also serves as Interim Director of Music. Stomberg is active in professional societies serving as bassoon coordinator for the International Double Reed Society’s International Young ArtistCompetition, and as President of the Midwest Double Reed Society.
Stomberg released his first CD in 2008 including the music of Victor Bruns (1904-96). Pianist Robert Koenig and fellow bassoonists George Sakakeeny, Jonathan Sherwin, and Barrick Stees join Stomberg in the world-premier recording.
In his spare time, Stomberg enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his wife Karen and their two dogs, Oskie and Boomer, on their 5-acre “farm” outside of Lawrence, Kansas.
The American guitarist, Douglas Niedt (b. 1953 & pronounced "neet"), began his study of the guitar at the age of seven with his father, an amateur guitarist. Douglas’ interest in music was stimulated by his father’s encouragement to listen to and explore the entire spectrum of music. By the time he was fourteen, he had received first prize awards in national competitions sponsored by the American Guild of Music. International recognition and acclaim followed his first prize sweep at the age of seventeen of the Chet Atkins International Guitar Competition in which three hundred guitarists were entered from around the world. Since then, Douglas has polished his playing to gem-like brilliance through studies at the Juilliard School, the Segovia Master Classes in Spain, and with masters Pepe Romero, Narciso Yepes, Christopher Parkening, Jorge Morel, and Oscar Ghiglia.
At the age of twenty-one Douglas Niedt made his New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall. This successful debut demanded three return appearances in the same hall the following years. He has since appeared before enthusiastic audiences across the country prompting one critic to write, “Mr. Niedt is not only a brilliant master of his instrument, but a performer of great sensitivity; the wealth of sound and the dynamic finesse which he elicits from the guitar promise to make him a worthy companion of the few great guitarists such as Andrés Segovia and Julian Bream.”
"One of the most outstanding musicians in the world today" is how one critic described Douglas Niedt. His listeners around the world know him best for his love of fresh, diverse, and emotionally engaging repertoire performed with incredible energy, technical perfection, and most of all, emotional depth. His concerts include music not only from the traditional classical repertoire, but also film music, jazz, Celtic, boogie, and American theater music. Besides his unique repertoire, which includes his one-of-a-kind arrangements for classic guitar of music by Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Secret Garden, Tommy Emmanuel, and Richard Rodgers, Douglas has a singular style of presentation for a classically trained artist. During the course of the concert, in an informal manner, he often includes commentary, information, and anecdotes about the guitar, its music, and himself. His striking ability to communicate with his audience makes his performances seem more like an intimate gathering of friends than a recital for strangers.
Douglas Niedt's fabulous CD, "Pure Magic", received a rave review in England’s Classical Guitar Magazine and led to his appearance on the cover of Fingerstyle Guitar magazine the following year. His Christmas CD is titled "In Heavenly Peace". His performance video, "Douglas Niedt--American Virtuoso", was released by Bransong Music.
Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Douglas Niedt is head of the guitar program of the Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Missouri at Kansas City.
ERIC STOMBERG enjoys a wide-ranging musical career as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and pedagogue. He is quickly becoming one of the most sought after bassoonists in the country with numerous invitations to present recitals and masterclasses at conservatories and schools of music across the country. His students have gone on to study at prestigious conservatories and schools of music while former students also hold orchestral positions in the United States and Australia. 
