The Michigan State University College of Music is proud to present an evening of works by the last of the German romantics, Richard Strauss.
This first concert of the 2018-19 West Circle Series features Strauss — a daring composer and conductor — who was born into a musical household in 1864. Following in his father’s footsteps, young Strauss dedicated his life to music, and at the age of 18 had already composed over 140 works including various vocal, chamber and orchestral works. Two years later he made his conducting debut with the Meiningen Orchestra with his premiere piece “Suite for 13 Winds.”
The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium, and will feature MSU faculty artists and students. Melanie Helton, soprano, will be singing several lieder and art song poems with accompaniment from Zhihua Tang on piano. Suren Bagratuni will perform “Cello Sonata,” a piece Strauss composed at age 19, with Ralph Votapek on piano. To conclude the concert, Kevin Sedatole will conduct “Suite for 13 Wind Instruments in B flat major Op 4,” performed by MSU students.
Additional upcoming West Circle Series Concerts include:
“Tonight,” a Tribute to Leonard Bernstein
7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, Fairchild Theatre
Happy Birthday Mozart!
7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Fairchild Theatre
The King of Song, Franz Schubert
7:30 p.m. April 1, Fairchild Theatre
Joanne and Bill Church sponsor the West Circle Series. Special thanks to Byron and Dee Cook for making this performance possible.
More information can be found at the College of Music’s official website.