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Faculty artists offer trio of Schumann tribute concerts

Jan. 7, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's School of Music will celebrate the 200th anniversary of composer Robert Schumann's birth with a trio of performances showcasing his most distinctive works.

The "Schumann-a-thon" concerts, featuring faculty pianist Lori Sims and friends, will take place at 3 p.m. on successive Saturdays at the University's Dalton Center Recital Hall. Each program consists of chamber music and solo piano works by the Romantic-era composer. Performances will be preceded by a short lecture introducing listeners to Schumann's music and exploring his contributions to the 19th-century repertoire.

"Schumann-a-thon" concert schedule
All concerts take place at 3 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Concert I--Saturday, Jan. 23

  • "Waldszenen," Op. 82
  • Adagio and Allegro for Horn and Piano
  • Sonata No. 2 in d minor for Violin and Piano

Concert II--Saturday, Jan. 30

  • "Kreisleriana"
  • "5 Stuecke vom Volkston"
  • "Liederkreis," Op. 24

Concert III--Saturday, Feb. 6

  • "Abegg Variations," Op. 1
  • Andante and Variations for 2 Pianos, 2 Celli, and Horn
  • "Carnaval," Op. 9

The Jan. 30 concert will feature baritone Joshua Hopkins singing "Liederkreis," a song cycle for voice and piano composed by Schumann on nine poems by Heinrich Heine. This song cycle was an early product of Schumann's Liederjahr (Year of Song), referring to his nearly exclusive devotion to song composition from 1840 to 1841, following his marriage to Clara Wieck. Hopkins comes to Kalamazoo straight from performances of "Turandot" at the Metropolitan Opera.

Also featured in the Jan. 30 program is cellist Suren Bagratuni, whose Tchaikovsky Competition Bronze Medal two decades ago paved the way for his continuously thriving international career. Other collaborative artists include WMU School of Music faculty members Lin Foulk, horn; Yu-Lien The, piano; and Renata Artman Knific, violin.

Tickets

The "Schumann-a-thon" concerts at the Dalton Center are presented by the Bullock Performance Institute. All seating is general admission. Tickets are $12, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for students. They may be purchased at the door or in advance through the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at (269) 387-2300 or toll free at (800) 228-9858.

For more information, visit the Bullock Music Performance Institute online or call the School of Music at (269) 387-4704 or (269) 387-4678.

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Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4681, kevin.west@wmich.edu

WMU News
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Western Michigan University
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