SFA faculty to present American chamber music

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Alazan Piano Trio, composed of faculty members from the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, will present "An Evening of American Chamber Music" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Violinist Jennifer Dalmas, cellist Evgeni Raychev and pianist Ron Petti have not performed as a trio in a few semesters, and they are happy to be working together again, promoting works by American composers, said Dalmas.

To open the program, Dalmas and Petti will perform William Bolcom's "Second Violin Sonata."

"The first movement, entitled 'Summer Dreams,' is very bluesy and tranquil, and is followed by a fast and furious second movement," Dalmas said. "The last movement, written in memory of jazz violinist Joe Venuti, uses a lot of his techniques, such as slides and left hand pizzicato."

Raychev and Petti will then present Ned Rorem's "The Dances for cello and piano," a 15-minute suite of seven dances which Dalmas described as "very exciting."

The trio will close the concert with "In Celebration" by Stanley Silverman, who has spent most of his career composing for films.

"The audience will hear references to jazz and Latin American music all through this work," Dalmas said.

All three musicians received their doctoral degrees from Florida State University. Petti joined the SFA faculty in 1999, and Dalmas and Raychev in 2003.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.