Salem State Music Faculty Recital

The spring 2014 Classical Faculty Recital showcases eight members of the full time and adjunct Salem State music faculty. Participating in the program are Tiffany baxter, soprano, Mary-Jo Grenfell, clarinet, Sanae Kanda, piano, Amy McGlothlin, saxophone, Beverly Soll, piano, Philip Swanson, trombone and piano,Gary Wood, baritone, and Holly Zagaria, mezzo soprano.

The concert includes songs by Samuel Barber on James Joyce texts and Rossini's brilliant aria, "Non piu mesta," from La Cenerentola. The newest piece on the program is Philip Swanson's setting of The Wild Swans at Coole, on a text by William Butler Yeats, with the composer at the piano.

Instrumental works on the program include a Georg Philipp Telemann bassoon sonata transcribed for trombone. Other gorgeous transcriptions include the Ravel Sonatine, originally for solo piano, in a setting for soprano saxophone followed by his “Piéce en forme de 
habanera,” originally a vocalise transcribed for clarinet. Also by Ravel is his atmospheric four-hand piano piece, “Le jardin féerique” (Enchanted Garden), from Mother Goose.

Rounding out the concert are wonderful quirky waltzes by two little known twentieth century composers. The first set of "Hillandale" Waltzes for clarinet and piano by the Russian-born, American pianist/composer Victor Babin. Second is a pair of witty Valses Bourgeoises for piano four-hands by British composer, novelist, and painter, Gerald Tyrwhitt-Wilson, bearing the influence of his friend Igor Stravinsky.

All proceeds from this concert benefit the John Finnegan scholarship for music majors. Suggested donation is $10 at the door. 

For additional information visit: www.salemstate.edu/arts or call 978.542.7890.