Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University music faculty presents a recital Pianists @88 & 176 Oct. 28 and 30 that features one and two-piano arrangements and the music of composers like Rachmaninoff, Debussy and Chopin.
The recital will be in the Highlands University Champ Tyrone Music Building at 1052 11th St. The Oct. 28 performance is at 7:30 p.m. with a reception following the recital. The Oct. 30 performance is at 4 p.m.
The pianists include longtime Highlands University music faculty and concert pianist Linda King as well as Ashlyn Harrington, in her second year as adjunct music faculty.
The guest pianist for the recital is Ron Maltais, the longtime music director at the United World College – USA who recently retired.
“Listening to two pianos together is as exciting as hearing an orchestra,” King said. “It’s richly textured because there are twice the keys – 176 – and twice the sound. Both pieces where we play together are composed specifically for two pianos.”
General admission is $10 and there is no charge for students. The recital will be in the choir room of the music building because it is equipped with two grand pianos.
“The music in this program is primarily 19th and 20th century romantic compositions,” King said. “It ranges from gentle and poetic to strong, dramatic and passionate pieces. It is an exceptionally beautiful musical selection from both renowned and lesser known composers.”
Harrington completed her master’s degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University.
“Ashlyn is an accomplished and expressive pianist with strong technique who is a joy to collaborate with. Ron is both an excellent pianist and superb interpreter of musical styles. We’ve collaborated before, but this is our first venture at two pianos,” King said.
The program begins with King and Maltais playing Introduction: Alla Marcia from Suite No. 2, Op. 17 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, a Russian composer.
Next, Harrington will perform two solo pieces including Danza de la Moza Donosa by Alberto Ginastera, an Argentine composer, and Mazurka Op. 33 No. 4 and Scherzo No. 1 in B minor by Frederic Chopin, a Polish composer.
King solos next with the Rachmaninoff pieces Preludes Op. 32 No. 5. Moderato in G major No.8. Vivo in A minor, Elegie Op. 3 No. 1, and Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp minor.
Next on the program, Maltais will play two solos including La soiree dans Grenade from Estampes by Claude Debussy, a French composer, and Toccata in E-flat minor by Aram Khachaturian, a Russian composer.
The program concludes with King and Harrington performing Paganini Variations for two pianos by Witold Lutoslawski, a Polish composer.
King is well known to Northern New Mexico music audiences. She performs as both a soloist and in chamber ensembles such as the Santa Fe Symphony and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. She performed internationally at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria.
The proceeds from the recital will benefit the Highlands University Department of Music’s student scholarship funds.