The complex interlocking rhythms of Balinese music on percussive instruments, the myriad expressions and the delicate motions of Balinese dance unite in the UMD Gamelan Saraswati. The quiet beauty, simplicity and harmonizing effect of Japanese nature are revealed in the music of the UMD Koto Ensemble.
In this profoundly meditative and immersive musical experience, Austrian vibraphonist Berndt Thurner performs Stuart Saunders Smith’s solo vibraphone work, The Deep. Expressing the expansiveness of the ocean and subtle variety of waves, the composer has said, “On the surface, The Deep sounds like it’s dealing with repetition, but the larger repetition is that none of the repetitions are the same.”
Trumpet professor Chris Gekker performs works from his September album release, "Ghost Dialogues". He is joined by piano professor Rita Sloan to premiere works by Harvard University resident composer Carson Cooman and UMD composition professor Robert Gibson. Voice professor Delores Ziegler then joins the duo for Cooman's song cycle, "Chasing Down the Moon". Gekker rounds out the program performing contemporary jazz compositions with faculty Chris Vadala and Robert Gibson, and distinguished alumna Lianna Gekker.
Internationally renowned since becoming a prizewinner at the 1993 Naumburg Violin Competition, Yehonatan Berick enjoys a busy concert schedule as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and pedagogue, throughout North America, Europe and Israel. Berick's many ambitious recital programs feature one-day performances of such cycles as Bach’s complete sonatas and partitas, Paganini’s 24 Caprices, Ysaÿe's Six Sonatas for solo violin, as well as complete sonata cycles by Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann and Grieg. He is joined by piano professor Rita Sloan for an all-Brahms sonatas program.
Berg called his Chamber Concerto “a virtuosic tour de force—not just for the soloists, but for the ensemble and conductor as well.” An homage to the great Arnold Schoenberg, the Chamber Concerto features violin professor James Stern and pianist Audrey Andrist. Van Otterloo’s Serenade for Brass and Lindberg’s Concerto for Winds and Percussion are works that showcase the virtuosity of the ensemble
The UMD Chamber Singers treat audiences to vibrant Italian madrigals by Monteverdi, searing motets by Poulenc, monumental German Baroque works, and groundbreaking American music of women composers.
Innovative older works by George Antheil and Arnold Schoenberg are juxtaposed with new works by Mason Bates and Joel Puckett, showcasing the incredible diversity of the modern wind ensemble repertoire.
Spirit and spectacle combine in an extravaganza that features the finest wind repertoire performed by UMD Bands, including the ever-popular Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band. This annual event has a loyal following!
The immensely creative Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians on the planet. He’s recorded and performed with legends like Trey Anastasio, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Phish, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Santana and more. His own ensemble is a wild, unstoppable world beat percussive band that blends untamed percussion, tap dance, martial arts, samba, jazz, rock and funk. Working in the Brazilian Anthropofagiaartistic movement, the group mixes international instrumentation and unusual percussion inventions of Cyro’s own creation.
Renowned for genre-bending versatility and joyous performances, the award-winning Canadian Brass is almost single-handedly responsible for elevating the art of the brass quintet to what it is today.
