FSU’s Department of Music Presents Dr. Brent Weber in Faculty Artist Series Concert

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present saxophonist Dr. Brent Weber in a Faculty Artist Series concert on Sunday, April 9, at 3 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. He will be accompanied by guest artists Dr. Karen Lau on the cello and percussionists Dr. Mackenzie LaMont and Cheyenne Jeffries. The concert is free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed; click the “Join Stream” button on this page a few minutes before the recital is scheduled to begin, or anytime during the recital, to view the live performance

Weber will also be joined by FSU Saxophone Ensemble members Alex McNemar and Max Partlow on soprano saxophone, Raegan Barrett and Josh Foreman on alto saxophone, Gabe Hicks on tenor saxophone and Vincent Hangarter and Eileen Martin on baritone saxophone, as well as community members Robert Godfrey on alto saxophone, Tammy Burns and Caitlyn Rund on tenor saxophone and John Taylor on bass saxophone.

Weber will perform “Phoenix” by Ryo Noda; the four movements, “Kalamatianos,” “Funky,” “Valse” and “Kritis,” of “Suite Hellenique” by Pedro Iturralde; “Sati” by Dana Wilson; the three movements, “Le Chat et le Pousson Rouge,” “Le Paon devant son mirroir” and “Défilé des Insectes,” of “Bestiaire” by Alphonse Stallaert; and “Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra in E-flat, Op. 109” by Alexander Glazunov, arranged by Jean-Marie Londeix.

Japanese-born Noda has been hailed for his forward-looking, avant-garde compositions and innovative playing techniques. “Phoenix” is no exception. Exploiting extended techniques on the saxophone to their full potential, Noda provides a detailed score with instruction; however, a significant amount of interpretation with regards to tempo, pauses and pitch bends is left to the performer.

“Suite Hellenique” (2001) explores classical form through Iturralde’s natural language of jazz and flamenco music. Because jazz is his native musical language, it is the most apparent style through the four movements, but while having the atmosphere of jazz, Iturralde’s textures and harmonies are relevant to the classical music of his day.

Wilson is a contemporary American composer, music educator, conductor and jazz pianist. He composed “Sati,” for alto saxophone, cello and percussion, in 1983.

Stallaert’s1966 work, “Bestiaire,” contains three sections. The first, “Le chat et le poisson rouge” (“The Cat and the Red Fish”) is a moving tempo, full of fantasy and a fantastic character opposing the stealthy cat against the furtive quickness of the fish. In the second, “Le paon devant son miroir” (“The Peacock Looking Before His Mirror”), the cello soloist and saxophonist “discuss” the grace of the peacock before its image and beneficial poses, pompous or even ridiculous. Finally, the third part, “Defile des insects” (Parade of Insects”), is a series of variations on a theme of serial pattern composition.

Glazunov was a Russian composer, music teacher and conductor of the late Russian Romantic period. “Concerto in E-flat Major for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 109” was written in 1934. The piece lasts about 14 minutes and is played without pause. It is deeply rooted in Romanticism, and has entered the standard saxophone repertoire.

Experienced in multiple genres of music from classical to jazz, rock ’n’ roll and beyond, Weber advocates versatility. His work with the contemporary jazz group Jake Mowrer Quartet featured him performing and recording throughout Northern Georgia. As a concert saxophonist, Weber is active with the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2007, he presented the European premiere of Todd Barton’s “Diastems II” at the World Saxophone Congress XIV in Ljubljana, Slovenia. As winner of the UGA Concerto Competition in 2009, he performed Ingolf Dahl’s “Concerto for Saxophone and Wind Ensemble.” In 2012, he was part of the 2012 Naxos release, “Street Song.” Formerly an assistant professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China, Weber is department chair and assistant professor of saxophone in FSU’s Department of Music where, in addition to maintaining the saxophone and bassoon studios, he also coordinates the Jazz Studies program.

FSU is following CDC guidance based on current area conditions. For current health and safety guidelines, visit www.frostburg.edu/COVID19.

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.