DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC PERFORMANCES

2008-09 performances will be posted here over the summer.

Past Performances:

Joel Engel, Pioneer of Jewish Art Music
Wednesday, September 19 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
The compositional output from the "father of Jewish national music" consists of many songs and duets published in Yiddish, Russian and Hebrew as well as arrangements of Jewish folk songs for violin and piano. His rarely performed Hadibuk Suite based on the famous Dybbuk tale will be featured in this concert by soprano Gene Marie Callahan Kern, mezzo-soprano Frances Pallozzi Wittmann, violinist Leo Milman, pianist M. Rahima Hohlstein, clarinetist Tom Gerbino, percussionist Anna Sackett and the University Chamber Singers.

Music and the Spirit
Monday, September 24 at 8pm
Recital Hall - $6/$3 students
Music of Wagner, Sibelius, Chopin and Ravel will be woven together with commentary and readings from African, Oriental and Euro-American traditions to present a "concert of ideas" which examines music, the spirit and the imagination. Richard Albagli and friends performs this creative juxtaposition of elements inviting and challenging the audience to open up their minds and imaginations to the power of music.

Focus on Frank Glazer: A Mini-Festival
Frank Glazer's career began in Europe in the 1930s when he studied piano with Artur Schnabel and composition with Arnold Schoenberg. In the 40s, he was a composer of many published songs and returned to Europe for two years as an American soldier in World War II. Upon his return, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall and subsequently gave concerts all over the world. In 1965, he joined the faculty at the Eastman School of Music where he is now Professor Emeritus of Piano.

Tuesday, September 25 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - FREE
UAlbany faculty member Duncan Cumming gives a free lecture about his former teacher's rich and varied life. Along with UAlbany students, he performs some of Glazer's compositions.

Wednesday, September 26 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - FREE
Frank Glazer gives a lecture entitled "A Philosophy of Artistic Performance."

Thursday, September 27 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Frank Glazer and Duncan Cumming perform a concert of music for four hands featuring works by Mozart, Schubert, Fauré and Dvorák.

Don Preston and the Akashic Ensemble
Monday, October 1 at 4pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
A member for many years of Frank Zappa's original Mothers of Invention, this synthesizer pioneer presents a lecture/performance with André Cholmondeley and Cheri Jiosne.

Martha Mooke's Viola X-Treme!
Monday, October 8 at 7pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
This electric 5-string violist/composer/progressive recording artist presents a plugged in concert of original music and works written for her by leading composers on the new music scene. (Martha Mooke will also be offering a free clinic at 2:45pm. For more information, call the Music Dept. at 442-4187)

The Art of Flamenco Guitar
Wednesday, October 10 at 7pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Internationally acclaimed flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski performs music ranging from classic flamenco of the Spanish gypsies to Nuevo flamenco with borrowings from jazz and other contemporary styles.

Bob Gluck, Michael Bisio and Dean Sharp Trio
Sunday, October 14 at 3pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Bringing a uniquely explosive, creative edge to jazz performance, this trio on piano, electronics, bass and drums interweaves conventional and unconventional tunes and modes of improvisation into a dynamic and beautiful musical stew.

Lee Shaw Trio
Wednesday, October 17 at 7pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Pianist and Jazz-Hall-of-Famer Lee Shaw performs with bassist Rich Syracuse and drummer Jeff Siegel in a program of jazz standards and original compositions of the virtuosic "bop" genre.

The Parnas/Cockrell Trio
Saturday, October 20 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Findlay Cockrell joins two remarkable young musicians in trio performances by Beethoven, Turina and Arensky.

University Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, October 21 at 7pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
Students, faculty and community members comprise this large ensemble which offers the first of three Sunday evening programs this season.

University Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble
Monday, October 29 at 7:30pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
Presenting a shared program, these two instrumental ensembles made up of students and community members perform under the direction of faculty members Kevin Champagne and David Hosley.

Turns of Centuries
Thursday, November 8 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Pianist Duncan Cumming performs music composed at the beginning of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries by Weber, Debussy and William Matthews, at a time when all three were setting out on a new path. The program also features the music of Chopin, another great innovator striking a new course, and the world premiere of the Matthews' work.

Findlay and Friends: Three Duo Sonatas
Saturday, November 10 at 8pm
Recital Hall
$8/$4 students
Pianist Findlay Cockrell collaborates to present the best in Duo Sonatas: Beethoven Violin Sonata with Hilary Cumming, Poulenc Flute Sonata with Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough and Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata with Nathaniel Parke.

Capital Collegiate Choral Festival VIII
Sunday, November 11 at 3pm
Main Theatre - $8/$4 students
The University Chorale and the University Chamber Singers are joined by a host of area choruses including those from the College of St. Rose and Schenectady County Community College in this popular annual choral festival.

Student Recital
Wednesday, November 14 at 7pm
Recital Hall - FREE
A host of performers showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as part of their departmental studies.

Ernie Williams and his Band
Thursday, November 15 at 7pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
A concert by the blues legend and recording artist, a star performer in theaters, clubs and festivals from Chicago to New York City.

Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 2 at 7pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
The University Music Department ensembles -- the Chorale, Chamber Singers, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra -- are joined by student groups -- Serendipity and Earth Tones -- for a concert celebrating the season.

University Percussion Ensemble
Monday, December 3 at 8pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
The UAlbany ensemble is joined by the RPI Percussion Ensemble for a concert of music of many styles from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Student Recital
Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm
Recital Hall - FREE
Duncan Cumming's students perform in this piano recital as part of their departmental studies.

Amahl & the Night Visitors
Sunday, December 9 at 7pm
Main Theatre - $5/FREE for students
Gian Carlo Menotti's famous holiday opera is about a disabled boy who tells tall tales to his widowed mother until he is visited by three kings on their way to Bethlehem. This charming, humorous, family opera is directed by Kristina Bendikas, conducted by David M. Janower and performed with full orchestra and guest artists in a fully staged production.

Mozart and Bartok
Sunday, February 10 at 3pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
UAlbany faculty members Victoria von Arx and Duncan Cumming perform Sonata for Two Pianos by Mozart and are joined by fellow faculty member Richard Albagli and guest artist Mark Foster in music for two pianos and percussion by Bartok.

Student Recital
Monday, March 9 at 7pm
Recital Hall - FREE
A host of performers showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as part of their departmental studies.

University Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, March 16 at 7pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
Students, faculty and community members comprise this large ensemble which offers the second of three Sunday evening programs this season.

Festival of Contemporary Music
Monday, March 17 at 8pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
The University Percussion Ensemble hosts the Empire State Youth and Repertory Ensembles in a concert of many styles with an emphasis on contemporary works.

University Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble
Wednesday, March 19 at 7:30pm
Main Theatre
$6/$3 students
Presenting a shared program, these two instrumental ensembles made up of students and community members perform under the direction of faculty members Kevin Champagne and David Hosley.

Capital Trio
Thursday, April 3 at 7:30pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Pianist Duncan Cumming, violinist Hilary Cumming and cellist SÖlen Dikener comprise this new chamber ensemble in residence at UAlbany. Their premiere performance includes works by Beethoven, William Matthews and Dvorák.

Music of Weather Report
Sunday, April 6 at 3pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
UAlbany professor and pianist Bob Gluck is joined by a pair of top flight jazz musicians, saxophonist Keith Pray and percussionist Brian Melick to perform the music of Weather Report, one of the premiere bands in the jazz fusion movement. Gluck and friends reinterpret tunes by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, which are known for their lyrical moods and deep grooves.

Music for Solo Piano
Thursday, April 17 at 8pm
Recital Hall - $8/$4 students
Faculty member and pianist Victoria von Arx presents works by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin as well as American composers Leo Ornstein and George Walker.

Spring Choral Concert
Sunday, April 27 at 7:30pm
Main Theatre - $8/$4 students
The University Chorale and University Chamber Singers, under the direction of David M. Janower, provide choral delights for a spring evening. The featured work will be Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," as well as works by composers Emma Lou Diemer and Gwyneth Walker accompanied by harp, brass, percussion and piano. The University Chamber Singers will also feature music of living composers.

Student Recital
Thursday, May 1 at 6:30pm
Recital Hall - FREE
A host of performers showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as part of their departmental studies.

University Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, May 4 at 7pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
Students, faculty and community members comprise this large ensemble which offers the last of three Sunday evening programs this season.

University Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble
Monday, May 5 at 7:30pm
Main Theatre - $6/$3 students
Presenting a shared program, these two instrumental ensembles perform under the direction of faculty members Kevin Champagne and Richard Albagli.