PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington State University Festival of Contemporary Art Music (FOCAM), Feb. 2-4, will feature internationally known composer Lowell Liebermann.

Grammy nomination and 40 labels

He has composed two acclaimed operas and his Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 36, recorded by Stephen Hough and the BBC Scottish Symphony with the composer conducting, received a Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary

Classical Composition."

Concert Feb. 4

A concert featuring Lieberrmann's works with the composer as honored guest will be presented 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in Kimbrough Concert Hall on the WSU Pullman campus.

The program will include a new work for two pianos commissioned from Liebermann by WSU especially for the acclaimed faculty duo 88 squared: Jeffrey and Karen Savage.

The program also will include:

• Liebermann's Sonata for Flute and Piano, Op. 23 (1987) performed by flute professor Ann Marie Yasinitsky and Karen Savage

• Six Songs on Poems by Raymond Carver for Baritone and Piano Op.80 (2002) performed by voice professor Dean Luethi and piano professor Gerald Berthiaume

• Sonata No.4 for Cello and Piano Op.108 (2008) performed by 'cello professor Ruth Boden and Berhtiaume

• Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra Op.64 (1999) performed by trumpet professor David Turnbull with the WSU Symphony Orchestra conducted by Matthew Aubin

Other festival events

• Feb. 2. The festival will begin with a Student Composer Concert at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in Kimbrough Concert Hall.
• Feb. 2. A concert featuring works by faculty composers at 8 p.m. Feb. 2, in Kimbrough Concert Hall. The program will include works by WSU faculty Scott Blasco, Ryan Hare, Gregory Yasinitsky, and David Jarvis with performances WSU School of Music faculty.

• Feb. 3.  A concert  of music for piano and electronics is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in Kimbrough Concert Hall. Featured will be special guest pianist Kari Johnson, a recent graduate of doctoral program in piano at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. The program will include a variety of list pieces, composers and performers.

  
  

• Feb. 3. A guest lecture by Liebermann at 11:10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in Kimbrough Hall, Room K 346, where he will discuss his recent music.

Free admission thanks to sponsors

All festival events are free of charge and open to the public. FOCAM is made possible in part with support from New Music USA's MetLife Creative Connections Program, the WSU Visual, Literary and Performing Arts Committee, and WSU College of Liberal Arts.

Note: To share this article, please click the orange-colored 'Share' button at the top or bottom of the page