Perlman Suncoast Presents Sean Lee, Violin and Peter Dugan, Piano

December 6, 2021 – Sarasota

The Perlman Music Program Suncoast announces a rare and unique opportunity to experience The Perlman Music Program (“PMP”) alumnus and violinist Sean Lee and pianist Peter Dugan perform the Complete 24 Caprices of Niccolò Paganini, as arranged by Robert Schumann, on Thursday, January 13 at 7:00pm at Riverview Performing Arts Center. This dynamic duo returns to the Suncoast following their sold-out “Bach to Jazz” concert in December 2017.

A former PMP “Little” and current faculty member, Los Angeles native Sean Lee is one of few violinists who dares to perform the complete 24 Caprices of Niccolò Paganini in concert. His ongoing educational YouTube series, “Paganini POV,” utilizes modern technology to share a unique perspective on playing the violin.  A recipient of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Career Grant, Lee’s performances have been hailed by the New York Times as “breathtakingly beautiful.” His debut album reached the iTunes top 20 classical bestsellers list and in 2018, he collaborated with pianist Peter Dugan to release a second album, Songbook, featuring repertoire from all over the world – from classical to jazz.  Lee has collaborated in performances with Itzhak Perlman, Sir James Galway, Deborah Voigt, and members of the Emerson and Guarneri String Quartets; and has performed in recital and with orchestras across the globe. A top prizewinner at the “Premio Paganini” International Violin Competition, Lee embraces the legacy of his late mentor, violinist Ruggiero Ricci, who made the first solo recording of the 24 Caprices in 1947. Lee earned his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees at The Juilliard School, and received the William Schuman Prize upon graduation. He performs on a violin originally made for violinist Ruggiero Ricci in 1999 by David Bague, and a bow made by Joseph Arthur Vigneron, circa 1890. To learn more about Sean Lee, visit seanleeviolin.com.

Pianist Peter Dugan’s debut performances with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony were described by the Los Angeles Times as “stunning” and by the San Francisco Chronicle as “fearlessly athletic.” Heard across America as the host of NPR’s beloved program From the Top, Dugan has appeared as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across North America and abroad. In 2020, he joined violinist Joshua Bell for At Home With Music, a national PBS broadcast and live album release on Sony Classical. In 2022 Dugan will join Bell in recitals across the country and in Canada. Equally at home with classical, jazz, and pop, Dugan has performed in duos and trios with artists ranging from Itzhak Perlman and Renee Fleming to Jesse Colin Young and Glenn Close. He has performed in chamber recitals with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, Music at Menlo, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Moab Music Festival; and has soloed with the San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and New World Symphony. As a founding creator of Operation Superpower, a superhero opera for children that encourages them to use their talents, Dugan advocates the importance of music in the community and at all levels of society. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied under Matti Raekallio. Dugan resides in New York City with his wife, mezzo-soprano Kara Dugan, and serves on the piano faculty at The Juilliard School Extension. To learn more about Peter Dugan, visit peterduganpiano.com.

Nicolò Paganini (1782-1840) was a 19th-century rock star. As a performer, he was worshipped, became wealthy, and is still remembered in great esteem. His performances were described as “demonic,” and he was often referred to as a “sorcerer” or a “wizard.” The bowings in his music often required the performer to throw the bow at the string, as if the player is attacking their instrument. Paganini’s 24 Caprices for Solo Violin were published in 1820, but were likely composed between 1801 and 1807. They were written in the form of etudes, with each number exploring different skill sets and techniques, such as rapid arpeggios and scales, double-stopped trills, and extremely fast switching of positions and strings.

Sean Lee, violin and Peter Dugan, piano 

Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 7:00pm | Doors open at 6:30pm

Riverview Performing Arts Center

1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231

Tickets are $45, $35 and $25 and are available for sale at PerlmanSuncoast.org.

Perlman Suncoast will be following #SafeArtsSarasota protocols for all events. Our Health and Safety Guidelines are available at PerlmanSuncoast.org/health-and-safety-guidelines.