Archive: Arts & Entertainment

The Department of Music at Cornell announced a diverse slate of fall semester concert programs combining history and tradition with fresh perspectives and original ideas. Performers include distinguished visiting artists and exceptional faculty and students. The first weekend of the school year highlights talented student and faculty performers.

Pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough and soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon
Saturday, August 26, 8pm, Barnes Hall
Doctoral pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough and soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon present a recital in advance of their appearance in the Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition in London in September. This prestigious competition celebrates the art of the song recital and attracts young singers and pianists from around the world as they embark on significant recital careers. McCullough and Fitz Gibbon will perform three sets of songs by a range of composers including Franz Schubert, Clara Schumann, and John Harbison. Each set in the program corresponds to a round of the Wigmore Competition.


Though the rounds have specific requirements for languages and composers, McCullough and Fitz Gibbon’s concert explores aspects of the human condition throughout. Fitz Gibbon elaborates, “In our first round, we examine some of the heroines of song literature, Goethe's Gretchen (from Faust) and Mignon (from Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship). In our second round, we have a little more fun: some irreverent songs by Walton, Poulenc, and even Schubert. And in our last round, we explore two full cycles, one by Clara Schumann and one by American composer John Harbison. We wanted to end by sharing one of our greatest passions: little-known repertoire.” They will perform at 8pm on Saturday, August 26 in Barnes Hall.

James Spinazzola and Friends Jazz Combo
Sunday, August 27, 7pm, Carriage House Café Loft
On Sunday, August 27 at 7pm at the Carriage House Café Loft, James Spinazzola gathers musicians and friends from Ithaca, New York City, Rochester and Syracuse to present an eclectic set of new music for jazz combo. The program features James Spinazzola, saxophone & compositions; Paul Merrill, trumpet; Melissa Gardiner, trombone; Lizzy Lyon, cello; Julian Garvue, piano; Peter Chwazik, bass; and Tom Killian, drums.

The rest of the semester features numerous opportunities to hear a wide range of musical styles and performances. The Cornell Orchestras under the direction of Chris Younghoon Kim showcase their breadth of repertoire, performing works from Tchaikovsky to Ellington to Arvo Pärt and collaborating with numerous faculty and guest concerto soloists (September 30, November 11, November 19).

The CU Winds, conducted by James Spinazzola, feature new works composed in memory of revered composition professor Karel Husa and present a special participatory dance element with the Cornell Klezmer Ensemble (October 1, November 17).

Paul Merrill’s CU Jazz program welcomes two special guests, drummer Matt Garrity’s Actual Trio (September 8) and saxophonist Vincent Herring (November 12), along with the student small and large ensemble performances throughout the semester.

The choral program, directed by Robert Isaacs and Stephen Spinelli, presents numerous concerts with the Glee Club, Chorus, Chamber Singers, and Chorale, including the annual Homecoming (October 21) and Twilight (October 28) concerts, as well as the Sage Chapel Christmas Vespers (December 3-4).

Two visiting vocal ensembles are also highlights of the fall semester. Schola Antiqua of Chicago, a professional early music ensemble, presents a concert of music by and for women in the convent (October 27). Philadelphia-based vocal chamber group Variant 6 celebrates music as a catalyst for change and examines the 500th anniversary of the Reformation (November 18).

CU Organs are showcased throughout the semester, both in the Wednesday lunchtime presentations of Midday Music and in recital. In collaboration with Cornell Cinema and the Westfield Center, guest organist Dennis James and historical keyboard specialist Michael Tsalka perform a new score live to a 1921 silent film version of Hamlet (September 14).

Ensemble X celebrates its 20th anniversary season this year with four concerts, the first a Luciano Berio portrait concert in the fall (September 24).

Additional special guests throughout the fall include organist Christophe Mantoux (September 23), Afrofuturist musician Moor Mother (September 28), Rochester Philharmonic concertmaster Juliana Athayde (October 1), guitarist Tashi Dorji (October 24), the Ithaca College Percussion Trio (November 3), Renaissance and Baroque dancer Hubert Hazebroucq (November 4), medieval keyboardist David Catalunya (November 6), pianist Amir Katz (November 14), organist Sofia Östling (November 16), violinist Guy Braunstein (November 20), cellist Zvi Plesser (November 20), and the Oxford University Wind Orchestra (December 4).