February 2012
Program Notes
El Paso Symphony Orchestra - The Symphony performs with guest conductor Michael Butterman, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28, in the Plaza Theatre. Butterman, conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic and Shreveport Symphony, is one of six candidates for EPSO’s new conductor. Butterman and guest violinists Soovin Kim and Ik-Hwan Bae, Violin present Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, Peck’s “The Glory and the Grandeur; Concerto for Percussion Trio” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, op. 64, E minor. Tickets: $15-$40. ($8-$10 for students). Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.
Butterman is entering his sixth season as Music Director for the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and also for the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, and is in his 12th season as Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the first position of its kind in the United States. Beginning with the 2009-2010 season, he assumed the additional post of Resident Conductor for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
The “Opening Notes” discussion with Butterman and Assistant Conductor Andres Moran is 6:30 p.m. both nights in the Philanthropy Theatre. Discussions are free and open to the public.
Symphony subscribers can meet the guest conductor 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at a pre-dress rehearsal reception in the Plaza Theatre lobby. Subscribers can stay for the dress rehearsal at 7 p.m.
EPSYOs Winter Concert - The El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras, under the direction of Andres Moran, presents its winter concert, “Spanish Nights” at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Tickets: $12 ($7 students/seniors/military). Information: 525-8978 or epsyos.org.
All 300 members of the EPSYOs will perform classics such as Rossini’s “Overture to the Barber of Seville” and Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont.” UTEP professor of piano Dr. Dena Kay Jones will perform “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla.
Jones has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and in Spain, Italy, Mexico and Canada. Her debut album entitled “Luces y Sombras (Lights and Shadows): Piano Works by Joaquin Rodrigo” was released in 2007.
Mesilla Valley Concert Band — The 95-piece band performs at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall, Las Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575) 646-2421.
UTEP Department of Music — Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, except as noted. Tickets for most performances are $5 ($3 seniors/military/non-UTEP students; free for children/UTEP students/faculty/staff), unless listed otherwise. Ticket information: 747-5606 or utep.edu/music.
• Sunday, Jan. 29 — Brian Downen, tenor, and Diane Helfers Petrella, piano perform as part of the guest artist series. The program will feature Benjamin Britten’s “Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo,” six songs from Jacques Leguerney’s “Poemes de la Pleiade,” Liszt’s “Petrarch Sonnets” and operatic arias of Mozart. Tickets: $8 ($5 military and seniors; $3 UTEP faculty, staff, students, and ages 6 and younger).
• Thursday, Feb. 16 — UTEP Wind Symphony.
• 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 — UTEP Chambers Players
• Thursday, Feb. 23 — Symphony Band Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 — UTEP Symphony Orchestra
Annual Brass Day performances are Friday and Saturday, March 2-3.
El Paso Summer Music Festival - The non-profit organization announced deadlines for applications for instrument awards and the 2012 competition. Information: 449-0619 or epsmf.org.
The 2012 Young Musicians’ Competition is open to ages 8 to 19. Winner receives a $2,000 award and performs in the 2012 Festival. Second place receives $500 and third place $200. Deadline to apply is Jan. 30; applications available online.
The festival’s annual Instruments for Young Lives deadline application is Jan. 31, the giveaway will award a minimum of two new musical instruments to deserving students. Students will be selected on the basis of exceptional classical musical talent, unmet financial need and other criteria. Recipients must be age 8 to 18, be U.S. citizens and not have entered college during the 2012-2013 school year.
‘Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing’ — El Paso Wind Symphony performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets $12.50 ($7.50 military, students and seniors). Information: 760-5599 or elpasowindsymphony.com.
LCSO with Zuill Bailey — Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, directed by Lonnie Klein, welcome renowned cellist Zuill Bailey Feb. 4-5, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. Bailey is the Artistic Director of El Paso Pro Musica and Professor of Cello at UTEP. Bailey will perform the Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op.33 by Camille-Saint-Saëns. The orchestra completes the program with Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” Richard Strauss’ “Suite from Der Rosenkavalier” and the Radetzky March, Op. 228 by Johann Strauss, Sr. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35-$45. Information: (575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
A luncheon with Maestro Klein is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Ramada Palms Hotel Conference Center, featuring a preview of concert music. Cost: $16; no reservation needed.
The public is invited to the dress rehearsal performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the recital hall. Tickets: $15 ($5 students with valid ID).
‘A Magnificent Choral Festival’ — Bruce Nehring Consort presents a concert of Massed Choirs featuring guest organist, conductor and composer Dr. Michael Burkhardt at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Western Hills United Methodist Church, 524 Thunderbird. The Consort Singers conducted by Nehring will perform “God of Rhythm, God of Sound.” Guests include the Handbell Choir of Western Hills United Methodist Church, conducted by Jim Regin. Tickets: $15 ($10 senior/military; $5 students). Information: 534-7664. Ticket information: 532-5874 or brucenehringconsort.org.
Internationally known for his innovative and inspiring hymn festivals, Burkhardt is an accomplished choral clinician, composer and organ recitalist. He is Director of Worship and the Arts at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Livonia, Michigan and Artistic Director of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble.
Burkhardt will conduct and perform this unique Massed Choir Festival in which the entire community may participate. Rehearsals are 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4 and 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Western Hills UMC. Participation cost is $20 per person, which includes all music and a complimentary festival ticket for a guest. Registration is 8 a.m. Saturday for those who have not registered in advance.
El Paso Chamber Music Festival - El Paso Pro-Musica’s 23rd annual festival presents world-class chamber musicians through Feb. 5. Concerts, recitals and other special events will be offered at various venues, in addition to the popular Music Film Series and free Bach’s lunch performances at El Paso Museum of Art. This year’s guests include Kim Kashkashian, Alfredo Oyaguez, Soovin Kim and Lara Downes.
Festival packages are $150 ($120 senior/military; $30 students) for all El Paso shows. El Paso/Las Cruces season packages are $200 ($160 seniors/military, $40 students).
Individual concert tickets: $30 ($25 seniors/military; $5 students). Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
• El Paso Symphony Orchestra members perform the Bach Double Violin Concerto at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28, at the Plaza Theatre.
• The Complete Beethoven Violin sonata in two parts: Part I features Ik-Hwan Be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall; Part II features Soovin Kim at 7:30 p.m. Monday, at First Baptist Church.
• A “Harlem on My Mind” concert with Lara Downes is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at El Adobe Recording Studio, 5301 El Paso Dr.
• Lara Downes presents “13 Ways of Looking at the Goldbergs” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Western Hills United Methodist Church.
• Zuill Bailey joins the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra as guest cellist at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4-5, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall in Las Cruces.
The Music Film series is 7 p.m. Thursdays at the El Paso Museum of Art. Admission is free.
• Jan. 26 — “The Art of the Violin”
• Feb. 2 — “Shine”
Free Bach’s Lunch concerts are noon Thursdays at the El Paso Museum of Art. Performers:
• Jan. 26 — Soovin Kim
• Feb. 2 — Lara Downes.
NMSU Department of Music — Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at NMSU’s Atkinson (Music Center) Recital Hall, unless listed otherwise. Ticket information: (575) 646-2421 or nmsu.edu/~music/.
• Senior Recital: Eliza Woodyard, voice — Sunday, Feb. 5.
• La Catrina Quartet — Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 6-7, as part of the Faculty Recital Series.
• Johannes Möller — The guest guitarist performs Thursday, Feb. 9. The Swedish guitarist and composer has made more than 500 appearances in Europe, Asia, South and North America. In 2010 he was awarded first prize in the GFA Concert Artist Competition, considered by many as the world’s most prestigious guitar competition.
• Southwest Honor Band’s NMSU Symphonic Winds — Saturday, Feb. 11.
• Southwest Honor Band’s Honor Band Concerts — 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.
• The 2nd annual NMSU/Warner Hutchison Contemporary Arts Festival performances are Feb. 13-15, focusing on contemporary music compositions and their multi-media interaction with other art disciplines. Admission is free, but donations welcome.
‘Enchanted Afternoon’ — Mesilla Valley Musical Arts host romantic music from the Romantic era at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, 151 S. Solano in Las Cruces, with selections by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann played intimately by featured artists Georgina Lavery, Stephanie Robinson, Nadia Russell and Barbara Toth. Light refreshments served. Tickets: $15. Information/reservations: (575) 523-7714.
Beginning in 1850 and lasting seven decades, the Romantic era was a period of artistic freedom, experimentation and creativity, marked by expressive melodies, new harmonies and tonal relationships.
Piano Recital — The El Paso Music Teacher’s Association-Student Affiliate presents its students in recital at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission is free. Information: 532-7273.
NMSU/Warner Hutchison Contemporary Arts Festival — NMSU Special Events’ 2nd annual artist festival focusing on contemporary music with multi-media interaction from other disciplines is 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 13-15, at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall. Admission is free, but donations to the Warner Hutchinson Music Scholarship Fund appreciated. Information: (575) 646-2901 or (575) 646-4814
• Monday features the works of John Cage, Kurt Schwitters, the world premiere of a work by Tom Smith and a performance by electronic music duo “Pincushioned.”
• Tuesday offers works by James Grant, Lon Chafflin and the world premiere of a work by Warner Hutchison.
• Wednesday features an exploration of the text of Federico Garcia Lorca in conjunction with NMSU Music Department, Dance Department and Creative Media Institute. Featured performers include Links Transmedia Ensemble, La Catrina String Quartet, Pincushioned, Kristen Loree, Monika Mojica, Fred Bugbee, Rhonda Taylor, Martha Rowe and Jim Shearer.
Chamber Choir concert — El Paso Choral Society’s Chamber Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Prentice Loftin, performs Bach’s “Magnificat,” Daniel Pinkham’s “Wedding Cantata” and Mozart’s “Violin Concerto #4” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Trinity First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Mesa. Tickets: $15 ($10 seniors and military; $5 students). Information/tickets: 479-0156.
The Chamber Choirs has performed with El Paso Opera, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Las Cruces Symphony and other major music organizations over the past 15 years.
Bach’s Magnificat, the canticle of the Virgin Mary based on Luke 1:46-55, was written for the 1723 Christmas Vespers. The work features five soloists, a five-part choir, and an unusually large orchestra for its time.
Pinkham’s Wedding Cantata, written in 1956, is based on Biblical passages from Songs of Songs. The musical composition in four movements expresses the dynamics of the love between a man and a woman.
Mozart’s Violin Concerts #4 was written in 1775. Mozart includes movements of serenity and warmth, and references to popular airs of the day.
Andrey Ponochevny — Las Cruces Civic Concert Association presents the Russian classical pianist and Bronze Medal winner of the 2002 International Tchaikovsky piano competition in Moscow at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. Tickets: $20. Information: (575) 521-4051.
Ponochevny was honored as the featured pianist at the General Assembly of the World Federation of International Music Competitions in Washington, D.C.
‘Die Fledermaus’ — Doña Ana Lyric Opera presents Johann Strauss’s operetta Feb. 24-26, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $15 and $20 (Ticketmaster). Information: (575) 646-1986.
This lively farce is Strauss’s most popular operetta. The story begins when Gabriel von Eisenstein is sentenced to eight days in prison for insulting an official, so his good friend Falke tells him to forget his troubles for an evening and accompany him to a ball. The fun and confusion begin when he tells his wife he is going straight to prison, but instead sneaks off to the ball.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra - The Symphony performs with guest conductor Peter Rubardt, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, in the Plaza Theatre. Rubardt, conductor of Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, is one of six candidates for EPSO’s new conductor. Peter Rubardt and guest violinists Chee-Yun present a program with Adams’s “The Chairman Dances” Foxtrot for Orchestra, Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, op. 47, D minor and Dvorák Symphony No. 9, op. 95, E minor. Tickets: $15-$40. ($8-$10 for students). Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.
A native of Berkeley, Rubardt holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Juilliard School, where he was the recipient of the Bruno Walter fellowship. He is in his 15th season as Music Director of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.
Chee-Yun performed in the El Paso Pro-Musica Chamber Music Festival in January. Her first public performance was at age 8 in her native Seoul, Korea. In addition to her performance and recording schedule, Chee-Yun is an Artist-in-Residence and Professor of Violin at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
The “Opening Notes” discussion with Rubardt and Assistant Conductor Andres Moran is 6:30 p.m. both nights in the Philanthropy Theatre. Discussions are free and open to the public.
Symphony subscribers can meet the guest conductor 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at a pre-dress rehearsal reception in the Plaza Theatre lobby. Subscribers can stay for the dress rehearsal at 7 p.m.
Guests of the 2011-2012 performances can cast their vote via Facebook or Twitter. Those who miss a performance can still be a part of the show through EPSO’s YouTube channel.
Anita Chen — Grant County Community Concert Association presents the classical musician at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater in Silver City. Chen plays both the violin and piano with precision and style, warmth and imagination. Admission: $20. Information: (575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.
‘An Evening of Jazz’ — El Paso Pro-Musica presents an evening of jazz music with two-time Grammy nominee Philippe Quint, violin, and the Matt Herskowitz Trio Feb. 28-29, featuring the works of Claude Bolling. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall and Wednesday at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets: $30 ($25 seniors/military; $5 students). Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
Quint has emerged in recent years as one of the few soloists to combine a remarkable degree of lyricism, poetry and impeccable virtuosity. He performs on a 1723 “Ex-Kieseweter,” Antonio Stradivari violin on loan to him from Clement and Karen Arrison through the generous efforts of the Stradivari Society.
Pianist, songwriter, composer and arranger Herskowitz has performed classical, contemporary, jazz and his own compositions to critical acclaim. His trio was invited by Barry Manilow to join him on his Christmas release for Hallmark, “The Swing of Christmas.” The release was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album. His own composition, “Jerusalem Trilogy,” was performed at the El Paso Pro Musica Chamber Music Festival in 2010.
Selections include Herskowitz’s arrangement of Bach’s Prelude in C minor, Well Tempered Clavier Book 2. “Bach à la Jazz” from the soundtrack of the film “The Triplets of Belleville,” as well as his arrangements of Bach’s Preambulum from Partita no. 5 in G major, Robert Shumann’s Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 Allegro affettuoso and Toccata in C major, Op. 7, and Fédéric Chopin’s Sonata no.2 in Bb minor, Op. 35 Grave – Doppio movimento.
The program’s second half features Claude Bolling’s Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio.
New Horizons Symphony — The symphony performs “From Russia With Love” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall in Las Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575) 522-5571 or nhsocruces.com.
Young People’s Concerts: ‘The Orchestra Rocks’ — The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presents the 72nd season of free programs for area fifth-graders 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 29-March 2, at the Plaza Theatre. Sponsored by El Paso Electric. The public is invited on a space-available basis; call for availability. Information: 532-3776.
More than 15,000 fifth-grade students from the El Paso area are treated to the free concerts each year.
‘The Marriage of Figaro’ — El Paso Opera presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s saucy comic tale of love, marriage, infidelity and the stupidity of aristocracy March 15, 17 and 18, at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. The story, which also includes a little incest mixed with deception and misdirection, was initially banned for ridiculing European nobility. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $20-$90. Information: 581-5534 or epopera.org.
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