Highlands University Music Faculty Present Chopin and Schumann Concerts
New Mexico Highlands University music faculty Andre Garcia-Nuthmann and Linda King will present a concert, ‘Happy Birthday Chopin and Schumann,’ Oct. 24 and Oct 31 at 2 p.m.
The Oct. 24 concert is in the Margaret Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave. The Oct. 31 concert is at the Baha’i Center in Manuelitas, approximately 15 miles north of Las Vegas. From N.M. 518, take the Sapello exit at N.M. 94, and continue 3.8 miles to the Baha’i Center.
“The concerts feature very beautiful, emotional and poetic music from two of the giants of the Romantic Era,” King said. “We scheduled these concerts to pay tribute to these beloved composers on the 200-year-anniversary of their births in 1810.”
Frederic Chopin is considered the most famous composer for piano, and Robert Schumann is best known for his chamber music and symphonies.
“The Schumann music I’ll sing is powerful, lovely melodies, with a touch of melancholy,” said Garcia-Nuthmann, who directs the university’s vocal and choral programs. “I love Linda’s interpretation of Chopin. Her technique is absolutely flawless, and so expressive.”
Garcia-Nuthmann, a tenor, will perform ‘Dichterliebe,’ a cycle of 16 short songs Schumann composed based on the poems of Heinrich Heine. King will accompany on piano.
King will perform these piano works by Chopin: “Military” Polonaise in A Major, Mazurka in A minor, Nocturne in B Major, “Minute” Waltz, Waltz in c# minor, and Scherzo in b-flat minor.
Tickets for the Oct. 24 and 31 concerts are both $10 at the door. Students with ID are free.
King will also perform all six of her Chopin selections Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Santa Fe at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant St. On Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m., also at First Presbyterian Church, King will play some of her Chopin pieces and Garcia-Nuthmann will sing his Schumann selections.
There is no charge for these performances at First Presbyterian Church.
Garcia-Nuthmann and King are both well known to New Mexico music audiences, including numerous concert performances with the Santa Fe Symphony.
Both have also performed internationally. Most recently, Garcia-Nuthmann was a guest soloist and King a featured pianist at the 2009 Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, which marked the 200-year anniversary of Joseph Haydn’s death.
Garcia-Nuthmann joined the Highlands University faculty in 1990 and was named professor of the year in 2008. He earned his Ph.D. in vocal performance from Arizona State University and holds a master’s degree in piano performance.
King is a longtime adjunct faculty member in the Department of Music. She holds music degrees from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Austin.