ION Trio to perform Russian classical music at The Block

Muskegon, Michigan, Dec. 17, 2014 – ION Trio will feature a Russian-inspired program in a February performance at the Block.

The ION Trio, which features the West Michigan Symphony’s associate principal cellist Igor Cetkovic, WMS violinist Oleg Bezuglov and pianist Natalia Bezuglova, will perform piano trios by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Dmitri Shostakovich. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. Doors and cash bar open at 6:30 p.m.

Titled “Trio. Russian. Classics.” the evening will begin with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50. His only trio, it is known for its length, clocking in close to 45 minutes. Subtitled by the composer as “In memory of a great artist,” violinist Oleg Bezuglov explained, “Tchaikovsky wrote this piano trio as a tribute to his friend and colleague Nikolai Rubinstein, who died earlier in 1881.” He added, “This magnificent music is full of the love and appreciation that Tchaikovsky held for him. It is the perfect image of an artist’s dramatic life and its tragic end.”

The second half of the concert will feature the Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 (1944) of Dmitri Shostakovich. This piece is a significant period composition that reflects the gloominess, grotesque, torture and reconciliation of life during World War II.

The ION Trio features pianist Natalia Bezuglova, a native of Russia. She holds degrees in piano performance and chamber music performance from the Rostov State Conservatory and has participated in numerous chamber music festivals in Russia, Ukraine, Austria and the United States.

Also a native of Russia, Oleg Bezuglov, holds degrees in violin performance and chamber music performance also from Rostov and has performed internationally as a soloist and in various groups. Bezuglov has been a member of WMS since September 2011.

Serbian native Igor Cetkovic holds degrees in cello performance from Central Michigan University and universities in Norway and Serbia. He is the winner of several Serbian national music competitions and has served as the principal cellist with St. George Strings, a Serbian Chamber Orchestra. Cetkovic has served as Associate Principal cellist with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra since 2011.

Tickets for the Feb. 7 Ion Trio concert are $20 and are available at the West Michigan Symphony ticket office: 231.726.3231 ext. 223; or in person at 360 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon. For more information or to get tickets online, visit westmichigansymphony.org.