Midday Artist Series - Spring, 2012

January 19 - Manhattan Bones

Manhattan Bones 

January 26 - Jazz Vibraphonist Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson

 

February 2 - Irena Portenko, pianist

Portenko

Ukrainian-born Irena Portenko first displayed love and talent for the piano at age three and by age eight, debuted as soloist with the Ukrainian National Orchestra, performing Haydn's Concerto in D Major. Praised for her " diligent, tender, and sparkling virtuosity…" Irena Portenko has appeared as a recitalist, chamber music performer, and a soloist with orchestras in the United States and Europe. She has performed under the batons of Kenneth Kiesler, Rossen Milanov, Volodymyr Sirenko and Allin Vlasenko, to name just a few. Ms. Portenko's gave a critically acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall featuring a performance of Frédéric Chopin's 24 Études, prompting Anthony Tommasini, reporting for the New York Times, to write: "her playing was admirably honest and clear-textured... ms. Portenko pulled off a feat that puts her in a select company."

February 9 - La Voce é La Viola - Chamber Music for mezzosoprano, viola and piano.

Ann Roggen

Ann Roggen, viola
Marjorie Melnickl, mezzo-soprano
Nelson Padgett, piano

Works by Loeffler, Busch, Brahms and Janacek.

 

February 16 - Gary Kirkpatrick, pianist

Gary Kirkpatrick

"You graced the stage of the opera house like none other has. Your performance gave this town an energy I have not seen before. It has given people here a sense that they were part of something wonderful."

Accolades from last seaon's concert tours of South America and the US reaffirm the fact that pianist Gary Kirkpatrick is indeed an icon of the William Paterson University Music Department Faculty. Today's concert features two sonatas: Op. 26 in Ab Major by Beethoven and Sonata No. 5 in F Minor by Johannes Brahms.

February 23 - Halcyon Trio - Music of Frank Levy

Halcyon Trio

Andy Lamy, clarinet; Brett Deubner, viola; Gary Kirkpatrick, piano

Son of the Swiss composer Ernst Lévy, Frank Levy was born in Paris and has made his career as a cellist and as a composer in the United States, where his father worked from 1941 until 1966. His music has been strongly influenced by his father and by his teacher Hugo Kauder, allowing him to develop his own distinctive musical language. The critical acclaimed Halcyon Trio will be performing two Trios by Mr. Levy for Clarinet, Viola and Piano as well as Mythic Transformation for Clarinet and Viola. Today's program will soon be released on the Naxos label.

March 1 - Hindemithon 10th Anniversary Celebration

Hindemith

The Hindemithon celebrates it’s 10th anniversary with special featured guest The West Point Band who will perform Hindemith’s Septet (1948) and Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24, No. 2 . Also on the program is the rarely heard In einer Nacht (Dreams and Experiences) 14 short pieces, Op. 15. performed by pianist Frank Pavese who is the festival’s founder and artistic director. Following the Midday, The West Point Band will offer master classes to WPUNJ brass and woodwind students and also perform on the Gala Evening Concert at 7:30pm.

March 8 - Composer in Residence - Music of John Cage

Cage

This year, Composer in Residence Day will posthumously celebrate the centennial of American composer JOHN CAGE. The program will feature collaborative performances by students, alumni, faculty and area professionals.

March 29 - Cross Cultrual Arts Festival with Andes Manta

Andes Mata

Andes Manta performs the vibrant music of the Andes on more than 35 traditional instruments. From the lyrical sound of the quena, or Andean Flute, to the haunting tones of the six-foot long pan-pipes, the music of Andes Manta is an experience that never fails to bring audiences to their feet.