Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The PEN Trio with special guest Francesca Arnone will present a program of 20th century music for woodwinds when they perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Cole Concert Hall on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.
The PEN Trio includes Dr. Nora Lewis, oboe, Kansas State University; Dr. Phillip O. Paglialonga, clarinet, Virginia Tech University; and Dr. Eric Van der Veer Varner, bassoon, Lynn Conservatory. The name PEN Trio comes from the first letter of each person's name - Phil, Eric and Nora.
The trio is performing at SFA as part of the group's Texas tour, which includes Baylor University, University of North Texas, Rice University and Texas A&M University-Commerce, according to Staci Spring, instructor of bassoon in the SFA School of Music.
The program will include Divertimenti for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon by Frank Bridge; Quatuor for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon by Jean Francaix; Suite pour Trio D'Anches by Alexandre Tansman; and Cinq Pièces en Trio by Jacques Ibert.
"The quartet for winds by Francaix is typical of the composer's humorous and quirky style," Spring said. "Light, somewhat airy melodies hide deceptively difficult ensemble playing and passage work. This is one of his more popular works, and it is always an audience favorite.
"Ibert's Cinq Pièces en Trio includes five short, charming movements, and is one of 11 pieces dedicated to the original Paris Reed Trio in the 1930s," she added. "The group was responsible for establishing much of the standard reed trio repertoire and is part of the inspiration behind the formation of the PEN Trio."
Special guest Arnone, assistant professor of flute at Baylor University, will perform on the Bridge and the Francaix pieces.
The PEN Trio bridges performance and scholarship to explore and expand the repertoire for the traditional trio d'anches, or "reed trio." The ensemble regularly tours throughout North America and abroad. The trio has visited dozens of universities and has performed at numerous academic conferences, chamber music series and private functions. Their 2015 season includes performances in China, Hong Kong and Trinidad as well as tours in Florida and Texas.
Arnone has more than 20 years of regional orchestral experience performing in the United States and Mexico, including serving as principal flute of the Boise Philharmonic and the Waco Symphony.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the music community to hear exceptional artistry," Spring said.
The group members will also present master classes on Saturday morning.
Tickets to the recital are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.