ROCHESTER, NY – The music of Alec Wilder will fill Kilbourn Hall when the woodwind, brass and percussion department of the Eastman School of Music pays tribute to the late composer on the date of his birth.
The "Wilder Wednesday" celebration at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 will feature Eastman faculty as well as members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Admission is free.
Wilder (1907—1980), a Rochester native who studied composition at the Eastman School, distinguished himself in both the serious and popular music arenas. At this concert, more than a dozen of his works are being performed.
"In New York City, there’s been an annual Alec Wilder tribute for 17 years," says John Marcellus, trombone professor and chair of the woodwind, brass, and percussion department. "This is the first Rochester version, and our intention is that this will become an annual event."
Eastman piano professor Barry Snyder will pair with RPO violinist David Brickman in Wilder’s Sonatina for Violin and Piano. Marcellus and Tony Caramia of the piano faculty will perform Sonata for Trombone and Piano.
Mark Kellogg, assistant professor of euphonium and principal trombonist of the Rochester Philharmonic, will perform the Sonata for Euphonium and Piano with pianist Joseph Werner of the RPO.
The Eastman Brass (Jim Thompson and Douglas Prosser, trumpet; Peter Kurau, horn; John Marcellus, trombone; and Don Harry, tuba) will play the five-movement Suite for Brass Quintet. Snyder, Kurau, and Harry will join forces for Suite for Horn, Tuba and Piano.
Soprano Valerie Errante will sing a selection of Wilder’s art songs and popular songs with Robert Wason, piano, and Alec Brinkman, string bass.
The concert will conclude with the entire ensemble joining for I’ll Be Around, arranged by Manny Albam.