March 25: FMU Artist Series Presents the Richter Uzur Duo

FMU Artist Series
Wednesday, 25 March, 2015, 7:30 pm
Performing Arts Center, Downtown Florence

Richter Uzur Duo
Brad Richter, guitar and Viktor Uzur, cello

Viktor Uzur and Brad Richter met in 2005 when Brad was commissioned by Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, where Viktor is cello professor, to write a concert length chamber piece (Navigating Lake Bonneville). The piece prominently featured cello and guitar and as it developed so too did a close friendship and a deep mutual respect that became the foundation for this collaboration.

Viktor and Brad are each classical musicians of the highest caliber with successful international solo careers and intensive training from two of the world’s most lauded musical institutions: The Moscow Conservatory and The Royal College of Music respectively. Their musical interests and abilities, however, are far from limited to classical music. In their teens and twenties, while developing into classical virtuosi, they cut their teeth in rock bands – Viktor as an electric guitarist and Brad as a guitarist and singer. They also delved into folk and world music but eventually put those interests aside as they pursued their classical concert careers.

The Richter Uzur Duo may be unique in the way in which they combine classical, rock and folk music and themes into truly original new compositions as well as in the way in which they collaborate. Because they live almost 1,000 miles apart they do a great deal of composing over phone and internet and write parts separately, combining and re-developing them while on concert tours together.  It is rare that two successful classical composers come together to co-write music of such distinction. The fun and friendship Viktor and Brad share in this partnership are obvious on stage and in their music.