JAVS Summer 1998

Paid Advercisemenr

1986 Ferrin is invited by the Peoples Republic of China as soloist with Shanghai Symphony. Gives the first perfor mance of Ban6k Concerto with a Chinese orchestra, Xiejang Chen, conducting. Critic of Shanghai Daily Newspaper writes: "Mr. Ferrin deeply expressed the sryle and feeling and great understanding of this work. His strong performance made a lasting impression on the audience." Ferrin credits his experiences in Shanghai to Hui-Yuan Wang, former prin cipal violist of Shanghai Baller Orchestra, who arrives in Chicago in 1984 and studies with Ferrin ar Roosevelt Univer siry. Wang's roommate, Xiejang Chen, larer becomes music director of Shanghai Symphony. 1988 Ferrin is soloist in Beijing with the Cenrral Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Barr6k and Mozart's Sym phonie Concertanre with concertmaster, Danan Liang. Ferrin returns in 1990 as soloist, and in his visits to China, he presenrs recitals and master classes ar Shanghai and Beijing conservatories. Ferrin and his wife sponsor four Chinese sru denrs to srudy with him ar Roosevelt Universiry. 1990 Ferrin submits chamber music program that is chosen by Sir Georg Solti for touring Eastern U.S. and is pre senred by Columbia Artists Managemenr. The group tours as Chicago Symphony Chamber Ensemble, closing irs con certs on Allied Arrs eries in Orchestra Hall. On his performance of William Balcom's Fancy Tales, the Chicago Reader notes: ".. . Ferrin's tone and variery of color and dynamics were magnificenr for the piece's many effects, including a rri tone secrion in which he hauntingly whistled along." 1991 and the cenrennial year of the CSO, Ferrin is viola soloist with Li-Kuo Chang, assistant principal violist, in CSO subscription concerts in performances of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, with Andras chiff, conductor keyboardisr. 1992 He joins Charles Pickler, principal violist of CSO, at Ravinia Festival in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, with Vittorio egri conducting. Ferrin also participates in rhe ational Orchestral Insrirure as violist and conductor, Vancouver lnrernarional Festival, as guest arrisr at Inrernarional Clarinet Conference, International Viola Congress, and First Inrernacional Webern Festival.

1993 ABC ews sponsors Ferrin to South Africa to work with African Youth String Ensemble, Sowero, which is tele vised on "ABC World News Tonight. " Three of these srudenrs violin, viola, and cello) are selected ro srudy ar Roosevelt Universiry. 1995 Ferrin enjoys long association with Seiji Ozawa and ew Japan Philharmonic, most recenrl y in commemorative performances of Mahler's "Resu rrection" ymphony in Tokyo and agasaki. 1996 Since this rime, Ferrin has been violinist of Bucking ham Trio with Li-Kuo Chang, viola, and Richard Hirschi , cello. 13 June 1999, they perform ali-Shosrakovich concert at Fullerton Hall of Chicago Art Institute. February 1998, Ferrin serves as principal violist of Pavaroni Orchestra for con cert given by the tenor at United Cenrer in Chicago before thousands. Ferrin's denouemenr will be his claim to a new bowing tech nique, rhe "Rick O'Shea"-with apologies ro Carl Gustav Jung- and with finest greetings to friends and colleagues, "and my srudenrs, past, presenr, and future! "