The University at Albany Department of Music is pleased
to present faculty emeritus Findlay Cockrell in a program entitled Chopin’s
Greatest Hits on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7pm and Saturday, October
17, 2009 at 8pm in the Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus. With these concerts, Cockrell is getting a
head start on celebrations for composer Frederic Chopin's 200th year. The
composer was born March 1, 1810 near Warsaw,
Poland.
The program
subtitled by Cockrell as "Celebrating Chopin with One of Each" will
include a cross section of his pieces selecting one of each – one Polonaise,
Ballade, Scherzo, Impromptu, Waltz, Nocturne, Mazurka, Prelude and Etude plus
the three well-known "Ones" -- the Fantasy, Barcarolle and Berceuse.
In 1965, Cockrell
competed in the 7th International Chopin Competition in Poland. His performance was hailed in the Polish
press. It was reported on in the New York Times with this: “Robert (Findlay) Cockrell, an
American pianist, won unanimous acclaim from audience and jury today for his
performance in the second day of this year's international competition.
Cockrell begins his
4th year of retirement from UAlbany this season. He continues to perform
and teach privately in Albany as well as
performing at his other homes, the outdoor Amphitheatre at Conn Ranch in California's Napa
Valley and at The Frank Collymore Hall
in Barbados. In April, Cockrell and his wife will
lead a special Chopin Tourist Trip being organized by Travel with the Experts
Ltd. to Chopin's two "home towns," Warsaw
and Paris.
Tickets are $8 for the
general public and $4 for students, seniors & UAlbany faculty/staff and may
be purchased through the Performing Arts Center Box Office. For further information, contact the Box
Office at (518) 442-3997 or visit the Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac.
