[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Parker_Ian.jpg” caption=”Pianist Ian Parker. Photo courtesy of SOTA.”]Performing Beethoven to Bartok, Ian Parker and Jonathan Crow will collaborate on Friday, March 23 to bring several fine piano and violin works to Convocation Hall. The duo will join forces to cover a range of styles in their repertoire, promising an evening of lush Romantic harmonies and spritely Romanian folk dances.

The son of pianist Edward Parker, Ian Parker has been playing since age three. In addition to performing across Canada, he has toured Western Europe, Israel and the United States. He has won several prizes in both Canadian and international competitions, including the 2002 William Petschek Piano Debut Award at the Juilliard School of Music.

Jonathan Crow also has an extensive performing career, appearing in chamber music festivals across North America, South America and Europe. He served as concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony from 2002-06, and currently performs with the Canadian string trio Triskelion. Crow also serves as assistant professor of violin at McGill University.

Wrapped in ivy, spacious and acoustically warm, McMaster University's Convocation Hall is once again the setting for the star-studded Celebrity Concert Series, a Hamilton tradition since 1972. This year's series of eight concerts of unforgettable music offers delights for every taste.

All performances in the Celebrity Concert Series are at 8 p.m. on Friday evenings in Convocation Hall (University Hall, Room 213). Tickets are $17 general admission, $12 for seniors and $5 for students. Subscribers enjoy substantial savings.

The Celebrity Concert Series is presented by the McMaster University School of the Arts, which also presents a nine-concert Free Lunchtime Concert Series on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., and some ten Ensemble Concerts annually by the McMaster Chamber Orchestra, McMaster Concert Band, McMaster University Choir and McMaster University Jazz Band.

For more information, please call 905 525-9140, ext. 27038 or e-mail concerts@mcmaster.ca.