When you think about Bok Tower Gardens, what comes to mind? Meandering pathways through a lush Florida landscape? Or maybe our “Singing Tower” carillon, or the 1930’s Mediterranean-style Pinewood Estate? Well you would be right on all accounts. But we’re also a center for musical presentations ranging from bluegrass to classical, and from guitar to piano—all part of our “Live at the Gardens” concert series.
On Sunday, April 7, we’re fortunate to have the talented, Russian-born concert pianist Vladimir Svoysky performing in the intimate setting of Pinewood Estate. Svoysky is as comfortable playing before a small audience as he is before a large crowd at Carnegie Hall, where he performed in 1996. He loves talking with people and sharing his insights about music and composers.
In the years since first touching American soil in 1979, Svoysky has toured the country as a pianist, harpsichordist and conductor, created and played in several different chamber ensembles, earned master’s degrees in piano and conducting from the Peabody Conservatory, and garnered an impressive array of awards and accolades along the way.
In tribute to the great composer Frederic Chopin, Svoysky will perform some of his greatest pieces on Pinewood’s 1917 Steinway grand piano originally belonging to Nellie Lee Holt Bok (1904-1984), wife of the elder of Edward Bok’s sons, William Curtis Bok. The program includes Chopin’s technically demanding but poetically beautiful Etudes, as well as a Fantasy Impromptu that most folks know from the tune “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” And his manager tells us the finale will be a surprise!
Tickets for the April 7 concert are just $25 for general admission seating. This also includes admission to the Gardens, so you can come early and make a day of it.