January 12th: St. John's Church to launch its 9th Annual Epiphany Concert Series with the Manhattan Piano Trio

St. John’s Church in Florence will open its Ninth Annual Epiphany Concert Series with a performance by the Manhattan Piano Trio on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. in the church’s parish hall.

There is no charge for the concert, but donations are appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided. St. John’s is located at 252 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Parking is available in the lot behind the church, as well as on Dargan Street.

Hailed by critics as “a grand departure from the usual” (News Herald), the Manhattan Piano Trio has quickly become one of the most creative, exciting, and dynamic young ensembles in the United States. With more than 500 performances since its inception in 2004, MPT is one of the most active groups in the classical music scene, welcomed by enthusiastic audiences in over 35 American states, Italy, South Africa, and Australia. The Washington Post described the Trio as “impressive” and “outstanding,” while the Sarasota Herald Tribune proclaimed, “one seldom is privileged to enjoy music of such a wide range of styles performed with self-effacing skill and relaxed assurance.”

The Trio is made up of pianist Milana Strezeva, violinist Wayne Lee, and cellist Dmitry Kouzov, all of whom are award-winning soloists in their own right. Since its inception in 2004, the Trio has captured grand prizes at the Plowman Competition and at the Yellow Springs Competition; was runner-up at the Chesapeake Competition; and received the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Listeners’ Choice Award in Melbourne.

Strongly committed to educating new generations of musicians and music lovers, the MPT is adept at weaving informative talks into its performances, thereby imparting greater musical insight and emotional clarity to its audiences. As part of the community rebuilding effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, they were one of the first musical groups to perform in the city and were honored to give a benefit concert at the University of New Orleans.

About the series

The title of the concert series reflects the season of the church year in which the Series runs. “Epiphany Season” is the name given to that period of time between the end of the Christmas Season (January 6) and the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday on March 5). The word ‘epiphany’ means ‘manifestation’. The Gospel stories heard in many churches during this season describe various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus, such as the journey of the Magi to visit the infant Jesus at Bethlehem, the baptism of Jesus, the miracle at the wedding at Cana, and the beginning of Jesus’ teaching ministry.