Hodgson Faculty Series opens its 2016 with Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert

The Hugh Hodgson Faculty Series opens the series' 2016 schedule with a slate of “extraordinary” music on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall at the UGA Performing Arts Center.

Michael Heald, associate professor of violin at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, will join with pianist and fellow School of Music faculty member Liza Stepanova to perform works from Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schubert.

“The music being performed on this recital is simply extraordinary, with each composer's style being clearly defined in these works,” said Heald.

The pieces, according to Heald, run the gamut from brooding to joyous, employing a variety of methods: from “dark spontaneity” to classical structures. But a common thread does connect them all.

“Somehow, they all understand the role of the instruments involved, never allowing themselves to write music that is beyond the possibility of being played beautifully and with immaculate control,” said Heald.

The composers of the music in Heald’s program are some of the most well-known of their respective eras, and Heald believes these works show why that is.

“Their emotions and their craft shine through,” said Heald. “And this balance, combined with an endless range of musical possibilities, is what makes them stand out as great artists.”

Tickets are $10 each or $5 with a UGA student ID and are available at the PAC box office, by calling 706-542-4400 or by visiting pac.uga.edu.

Heald has performed solo and chamber concerts across the United States and Europe. He has played with numerous ensembles, including the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and American Sinfonietta, and has appeared on BBC Radio as well as on various public radio stations in the USA.

Liza Stepanova is an associate professor of piano at the School of Music. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Stepanova has performed extensively in Europe and the United States, from Berlin’s Museum of Musical Instruments to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Next month’s recital in the Hugh Hodgson Faculty Series brings D. Ray McClellan, the School of Music’s professor of clarinet, to the Ramsey Hall stage.

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.