Features

Hyperion Knight, piano and musical direction, was born in California and his debut at age 14, playing the Beethoven G-major Concerto, was lauded in the press for its "remarkable virtuosity." He attended the San Francisco Conservatory where he studied with Nathan Schwartz and graduated at the age of 19. Graduate studies took him to the Cleveland Institute of Music and studies with Eunice Podis and Paul Schenly. Hyperion received the Arthur Loesser award upon graduation, receiving both a master's degree and a doctor of musical arts degree by the age of 22.

A pianist of great diversity, Hyperion has recorded works ranging from Beethoven to Stravinsky on the Wilson Audiophile label. His performance of the works of George Gershwin prompted the American Record Guide to comment: "Not since Heifetz has anyone played Gershwin solos without this much panache—the songs glitter like jewels against black satin." The Abso!ute Sound magazine found Hyperion's recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition "breathtakingly textured, rich and wonderful, showcasing Hyperion's world-class style at the keyboard."

An enthusiast for piano transcriptions, both of his own making and by other pianists, Hyperion recently recorded a group of little-known virtuoso transcriptions for the Golden String label, which earned him this description in Fi magazine: "Hyperion [is] a daredevil atop his gleaming, polished, silken-voiced machine...Bravissimo!"

Hyperion appears frequently both in recital and concerto, and has soloed with such orchestras as the Utah Symphony and the Cleveland Philharmonic. His diverse musical talents have also led him to appearances at the famed Rainbow Room in Manhattan, where he often plays show music and jazz.

Hyperion Knight has recently been named a Steinway artist.

Krzysztof Zimowski, violin, is a graduate with honors from the Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. He has performed as a soloist in Poland, Czechoslovakia, England, and Mexico, where he became one of the concertmasters of the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra in 1985. He is currently Concertmaster of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, First Violinist of the Helios String Quartet, and performs with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra in Chicago every summer.

Anthony Templeton, violin, graduated with a master of fine arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts. Mr. Templeton has performed in such diverse locations as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Venezuela. He is currently Principal Second Violin of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, where he has been performing for the last 14 years.

Carol Swift-Matton, violin, is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and has performed with the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, and most recently the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. She is currently Principal Second Violin of the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

Linda Anderson, violin, graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas with a degree in Performance. She has been a member of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for the past five years.

Katherine Reynolds, viola, received a bachelor of music degree from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and a master's degree in Performance from SUNY/StonyBrook University in New York. She is a violist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.

Christine Johnson Rancier, viola, studied at the Hartt School of Music and Florida State University, where she received a doctor of music degree in viola. She was a violist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra before moving to Albuquerque. Currently she is a member of the New Mexico Symphony, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

Joan Zucker, cello, holds music degrees from Bennington College and Ithaca College. She has performed as a concerto soloist and recitalist, and in numerous chamber groups and orchestras in the United States and in Venezuela, her home for four years. She is currently Principal Cellist of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.

Jean-Luc Matton, double bass, is a native of Lille, France. He holds music degrees from the Conservatoire de Versailles and Boston University. Mr. Matton has been Principal Bass of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra since 1989. He is also Principal Bass of the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque.

Robert Dorer, trumpet, received his musical education at Northwestern University. He has performed with the Atlanta Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He presently plays Principal Trumpet with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.

Debra Taylor, trombone, is Principal Trombonist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and performs in the summer months with the Grant Park Symphony in Chicago. She has held positions with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, and the Florida Symphony. Ms. Taylor has been a featured soloist at the 1995 International Trombone Festival, the 1996 International Brassfest, and the 1997 International Women's Brass Conference, and last appeared on a Stereophile recording in the 1995 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival performance of Darius Milhaud's La création du monde (Festival, STPH007-2).

Tia Perdomo, clarinet, received a bachelor of music degree from Louisiana State University and a master's degree from Michigan State University. Ms. Perdomo was a concerto competition winner at the Brevard Music Center in 1995, and was appointed second clarinetist of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra in 1996. She recently won a position with the United States Army Field Band in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Lori Lovato, bass clarinet, is a graduate of Northwestern University. In addition to teaching band and orchestra at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, she is currently a member of the Santa Fe Symphony, the Southwest Opera Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque. She is a founding member of the New Mexico Woodwind Quintet.

Jeff Cornelius, percussion, received his bachelor of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati. He is currently Principal Percussionist of the New Mexico Symphony, where he has been performing since 1986. He has been a regular member of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival for the past six years and appeared on Stereophile's 1995 recording of Darius Milhaud's La cr;éation du monde (Festival, STPH007-2).

Steven Kimple, percussion, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he received his bachelor of music degree; and of the University of North Texas, where he received his master of music degree. He is currently a timpanist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra in Texas.