SAUGERTIES PRO MUSICA’S 25th Season Opening Concert Featuring Works by Women Composers

Works by Women Composers

Sunday January 24, at 3 p.m., 8 p.m. and “on demand”

LighthouseTV – Saugertieslighthousetv.com

SPONSORED BY — Saugerties Pro Musica

ADMISSION: FREE

Saugerties Pro Musica’s 25th Season is a remarkable milestone presented in a brand new pandemic-inspired format. Instead of the usual live Sunday concerts at Saugerties United Methodist Church, you will see a series of pre-recorded concerts airing on LighthouseTV on (and around) the originally scheduled date and time, that will also be available “on demand” afterwards. These professional recordings will approximate the intimate live performances you are used to attending while giving everyone watching at home the safest and “Best Seats in the House”.

It all begins January 24th, 2021, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a program of music by women composers, performed by the Ekstasis Duo. To view, go to: http://www.saugertieslighthousetv.com/ and click on LIVE STREAM.

Natasha Farny, cellist, has distinguished herself as a talented artist of significant versatility, sensitivity, and experience. An accomplished soloist, Ms. Farny has performed with such orchestras as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and several orchestras throughout New York State. She has appeared at international festivals such as the Czech Republic’s Dvorak Society American Spring Festival, Germany’s Kronberg Cello Festival, Italy’s Brancaleoni International Music Festival, and many American festivals.

Eliran Avni, pianist, won first prize in both the Clairmont and Rachmaninoff Competitions at the age of 16. Praised as possessing both “ironclad technique” and “ample suppleness” by The New York Times, Mr.

Avni is an emerging force in the contemporary classical music scene.

Hailed as “The new hope of Israeli music” by Ma’ariv, he made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Zubin Mehta at age 17. Having developed a strong affinity for chamber music after studying with world-renowned musicians Yo-Yo- Ma and Isaac Stern, Mr. Avni collaborated with numerous artists and the Chicago Chamber Music Players, as well as actors Sigourney Weaver and Richard Chamberlain.

Both musicians are professors at the School of Music at the State University of New York in Fredonia, and have Doctorates from The Julliard School of Music. Ms. Farny oversees the Fredonia cello choir and coordinates the string chamber music program. Mr Avni teaches Studio Piano & Music Performance, and tours with Ms Farny as a member of the Ekstasis Duo.

January 24th at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. the Ekstasis Duo will be performing a program of classical music by women composers including: Clara Schumann. Louise Farrenc, Ethel Smyth, Alma Mahler, as well as the “Hommage à Nina Simone” Arr. by D. Kaufman. Full program below.

Go to: http://www.saugertieslighthousetv.com/ and click on LIVE STREAM.

Or visit www.saugertiespromusica.org for more information.

FULL PROGRAM

Three Romances, op. 22, Clara Schumann (1819-1896)

I. Andante molto

II. Allegretto

III. Leidenschaftlich schnell

Sonata in B-flat Major, op. 46, Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)

I. Allegro moderato

II. Andante sostenuto

III. Finale: Allegro

Sonata in A Minor, op. 5, Ethel Smyth (1858-1944)

I. Allegro moderato

II. Adagio non troppo

III. Allegro vivace e grazioso

Hommage à Nina Simone, arr. D. Kaufman

I. My Baby Just Cares For Me

II. Don’t smoke in Bed

III. Love Me or Leave Me

“Die Stille Stadt,” from Five Songs Alma

Mahler (1879 - 1964)