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All faculty concerts are now free and open to the public

AMHERST (MA) – In February, the UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance presents a number of concerts by members of its distinguished faculty. All performances take place at 7:30 p.m. in Bezanson Recital Hall, located in the UMass Fine Arts Center, 151 Presidents Dr., Amherst, MA. Beginning last fall, all faculty concerts are free and open to the public.

On Tuesday, February 6, Cobus du Toit, flute, will present “Introspection”, joined by Amanda Harberg and Nadine Shank, piano, Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet, and several guest flutists. The featured works include Erwin Schulhoff’s Sonata for Flute & Piano, Amanda Harberg’s Court Dances, Ian Clarke’s Within, Eve Beglarian’s I will not be sad in this world, Guillaume Connesson’s Techno Parade, Paul Hanmer’s Sarabande For The Days Of The Sundog, and the world premiere of Joel Puckett’s Knells for Bonnie. Guest flutists appearing on the program include Elaine Saloio, Sarah Swersey, Ellen Redman, Kim DeLuccio Collins, Alison Emery Hale and Emily Kaplan.

On Tuesday, February 13,  Salvatore Macchia, contrabass and viola da gamba, will present his “Tribute to Robert Stern,” joined by guests Gregory Hayes, harpsichord and Jazer Giles, electronics. The title refers to Robert Stern, a distinguished composer and retired UMass professor who was a former colleague of Macchia in the Music and Dance Department.  The program includes Robert Stern’s Fantasia for Gamba and Harpsichord and Prelude, Fantasy, and Etude for Solo Bass, as well as Macchia’s Improvisation on a Theme from Robert Stern’s ‘Aground on Star Lake.'

On Tuesday, February 20, Joshua Michal, horn, will present a concert titled “Something Old, Something New,” with Ludmila Krasin, piano and Allyson Michal, violin.  The program will include the world premiere of Peter Van Zandt Lane’s Persistent Tracings, plus Brahms’ Trio in E-flat, Tyler Ogilvie’s Zero Point and Tim Martin’s Lament.

On Thursday, February 22, Edward Arron, cello, will present a faculty concert, joined by Jeewon Park, piano, Jamie-Rose Guarrine, soprano, and the UMass Cello Studio. The program will include J.S. Bach’s Sonata in D Major for Viola da Gamba and Keyboard (played on Cello and Piano), BWV 1028, Arvo Pärt’s Fratres (1977), Granados’ Two Tonadillas, Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango (1982), Villa-Lobos’ ‘Aria’ from Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 for Soprano and Eight Cellos, and Franck’s Sonata in A Major.