American Romantics - Jan. 30

musician stands smiling by grand piano

Department Performance - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 7pm

Pianist Max Lifchitz performs Gershwin's ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue to mark the 100th anniversary of the work's premiere. Also on the program will be the Yankee Doodle Variations written in 1807 by James Hewitt as well as recent works for him by Allan Crossman, Akin Euba, Robert Fleisher, John McGinn, and Harold Schiffman. Mr. Lifchitz's Wedding Cake Tango written especially for the occasion rounds-off the evening.
 

  • Free admission
  • No tickets or reservations required

Program

(Photo by Carlo DeJesus)
 

This concert will be highlighted by George Gershwin’s ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue, marking the 100th anniversary of the work’s premiere in 1924 at Aeolian Hall in New York City with the composer at the piano.

Built around American piano music spanning two centuries, the recital will open with the rarely heard Yankee Doodle with Variations by James Hewitt published in New York City in 1807. Also included will be premieres of recently completed works by Allan Crossman, Robert Fleisher, John McGinn and Harold Schiffman. Rounding out the program will be the first New York performance of Scenes of Traditional Life by Nigerian American composer Olatunji Akin Euba as well as Lifchitz’s own Wedding Cake Tango.

Winner of the first prize in the 1976 International Gaudeamus Competition for Performers of Twentieth Century Music held in Holland, Lifchitz has appeared locally as soloist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Clifton Park Chamber Orchestra and UAlbany Symphony Orchestra. The San Francisco Chronicle described him as "a composer of brilliant imagination and a stunning, ultra-sensitive pianist." The New York Times praised him for his "clean, measured and sensitive performances." 

Lifchitz has been associated with the University at Albany since 1986. He is also the director of the New York City based performing organization North/South Consonance, Inc.