Buffalo Philharmonic concertmaster joins UB faculty member for Slee recital

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Concertmaster and violinst Nikki Chooi and New York Philharmonic pianist and UB faculty member Eric Huebner will perform together at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus.

The program for the recital:

Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 18 in G Major, K. 301
Tan Dun: "Sorrow in the Desert from the film Hero for violin and piano
Chausson: Poème, Op. 25
~intermission~
Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 for solo violin
Ravel: Tzigane

The program features music that patrons will enjoy for different reasons. Chausson’s “Poeme,” a staple of the violinist’s repertoire, is one of the composer’s most well-known and loved compositions. Mozart’s K. 301 is one of his warmest and most recognizable violin works. Ravel’s “Tzigane” offers the flavor of a gypsy salon piece and was inspired by and dedicated to violinist Jelly D’Aranyi in 1924. Ravel wrote it after one of his infamous compositional dry spells, completing it just a few days before the scheduled premiere. It was a rousing success.

Tickets are $20; UB students are admitted free with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, at the Center for the Arts box office from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or at the Slee Hall box office an hour before concert time.

Chooi, who is known for his passionate and poetic performances, has established himself as an artist of rare versatility. He is a recipient of prizes at the Queen Elizabeth and Tchaikovsky competitions, and was awarded First Prize at the Montreal Symphony’s ManuLife Competition, the Klein International Strings Competition and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

Huebner, chair of the UB Department of Music, has drawn worldwide acclaim for his performances of new and traditional music since making his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at age 17. In January 2012, he was appointed pianist of the New York Philharmonic and currently holds the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Piano Chair. In recent years, he has appeared as concerto soloist and in recital throughout the U.S. where his programs frequently position recent works alongside modern classics. Huebner won first prize at the 2002 Concert Artists Guild International Competition with Antares, a quartet comprised of clarinet, violin, cello and piano.

In addition to his faculty position at UB, he is also a member of the adjunct collaborative piano faculty at The Juilliard School.