Faculty Artist: Marek Szpakiewicz with guest artist Jiayi Shi

Posted by: School of Music

APU cello faculty Marek Szpakiewicz, who has been described by Yo-Yo Ma as an artist whose “energy, motivation, earnestness and generosity of spirit are evident through his work,” performs with renowned guest pianist Jiayi Shi. This recital
is in support of the Soma Children’s Orchestra and Chorus in Fukushima, Japan, organized by El Sistema Japan, and features music by Chopin, Rachmanino , Schumann, Barber and Gershwin. Since its inception after the triple disasters

of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear fallout in March 2011, Szpakiewicz has been supporting the Soma Children’s Orchestra and Chorus through his charity concerts in the U.S. and Japan. This recital is in memory of victims and survivors in the Tohoku region of Japan and to raise awareness of the continuous support for those children in Fukushima.