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Back-to-back concerts open November music schedule
By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor
The Department of Music will open its concert schedule for November with back-to-back concerts this coming weekend.
The Swedish percussion ensemble Kroumata will perform the third concert of the Slee/Visiting Artist Series on Nov. 15 in Slee Concert Hall, North Campus.
Organist Peter Richard Conte—known for performances that can be enjoyed by a general audience, not just by other organists and organ buffs—will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow in Slee Concert Hall, North Campus.
The following night, the New Zealand String Quartet will take to the Slee stage to perform the third concert of the Slee/Beethoven String Quarter Cycle. Recognized for its unconventional on-stage performing style—all members of the group stand, with the exception of the cellist, who sits on a platform that brings him to eye-level with the other players—the quartet will perform at 8 p.m.
The schedule will continue with another "double-header" on Wednesday. Virtuoso flutist Elizabeth McNutt will perform a free concert during the afternoon, followed by a special "birthday celebration" performance by the Slee Sinfonietta later that evening.
Other highlights of the concert schedule include performances by the Swedish percussion ensemble Kroumata and soprano Jennifer Aylmer.
Peter Richard Conte is the fourth grand concert organist of the legendary Wanamaker Organ, located in the Philadelphia department store now owned by Lord & Taylor. When not touring, he performs on the six-manual, 29,000-pipe instrument twice a day, six days a week. He performed several times at this organ last year as a featured artist at the national convention of the American Guild of Organists, and has been featured several times on National Public Radio and on ABC's "Good Morning America.
Conte is an associate of the American Guild of Organists and holds the prestigious Performer's Certificate in Organ from Indiana University. His UB concert is co-sponsored by the Buffalo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
The New Zealand String Quartet has presented more than six performances of Beethoven's complete cycle of 16 string quartets to both critical and public acclaim.
The group regularly tours worldwide, and made its debut in London's Wigmore Hall in 2000. It has been featured on the popular public radio program "St. Paul Sunday," and makes regular appearances on Radio New Zealand's Concert FM. Deeply committed to the music of its homeland, the quartet has premiered more than 20 works by New Zealand composers.
On Wednesday, flutist McNutt—a devotee of the new sounds of electronic music—will perform at noon in Baird Recital Hall, 250 Baird Hall, North Campus. The concert will feature the music of UB faculty member Jeffrey Stadelman, as well as UB graduate composers.
McNutt has become an expert interpreter of the masterpieces of the 20th century. She has performed music for flute and electronics in concert throughout the U.S. and Europe, as well as at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series, June in Buffalo, the International Computer Music Conference and SEAMUS National Conference, among others.
In addition to her solo work, she also performs chamber music as a member of Calliope Duo and of the ensemble Attar.
Later on Wednesday, the Slee Sinfonietta, UB's professional chamber orchestra in residence, will present a selection of new and early works by its founder and artistic director, David Felder, in celebration of Felder's 50th birthday.
The performance at 8 p.m. in Slee by the Sinfonietta—conducted by Magnus M�rtensson, who also serves as music director—will honor Felder, one of the leading American composers of his generation and Birge-Cary Professor in Composition in the Department of Music. Felder's works have been featured at many leading international festivals for new music, and earn continuing recognition through performance and commissioning programs by such organizations as the New York New Music Ensemble, BBC Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
Swedish percussion ensemble Kroumata, which has earned an international reputation and following via its many worldwide tours, will perform the third concert of the Slee/Visiting Artist Series at 8 p.m. Nov. 15 in Slee.
Now in its 25th season, the six members of Kroumata share a strong commitment to contemporary percussion music and have commissioned numerous works from Swedish and international composers.
Last year, the ensemble produced and performed a concert on the grounds of the Swedish Royal Palace in celebration of the 750th anniversary of the City of Stockholm. A division within the Swedish Concert Institute, the group serves as an important Swedish cultural ambassador and has received the Positive Sweden Award recognizing those Swedes who have made a significant contribution to the country's international reputation and standing.
The fourth concert of the Slee/Visiting Artist Series will take place on Nov. 21 with a performance by soprano and Eastman alumna Jennifer Aylmer at 8 p.m. in Slee.
Aylmer, who will perform a program of works ranging from the operatic to the popular, is coming to UB as part of the Marilyn Horne Foundation's Residency Program. She also will perform at several area schools during the week.
The recipient of numerous awards and honors—most recently the Career Grant from the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation, Aylmar has appeared with the New York City Opera and the New York Festival of Song.
Tickets for all of the November concerts, with the exception of the Elizabeth McNutt performance, are $12 for the general public; $9 for UB faculty/staff/students, senior citizens and WNED members with card, and $5 for students.
Tickets for these and all Department of Music concerts may be obtained at the Slee Hall box office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from the Center for the Arts box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and at all Ticketmaster outlets.