Saugerties United Methodist Church, 67 Washington Avenue
Pianist Steve Beck This season pianist Steven Beck appears with the orchestras of Austin, Princeton, and Chattanooga, can be heard in chamber music in Chicago and Oklahoma City, and repeats his annual Christmas Eve performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations at Bargemusic, which has become a New York institution. As a soloist Mr. Beck has performed with the New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony and has appeared at Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress; summer concerts have been at the Aspen Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors.
As an orchestral musician he has played with the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, and Orpheus. An experienced performer of new music, Steven Beck has premiered works by Charles Wuorinen and Fred Lerdahl. He can be heard on over 40 CDs, including the first complete recording of George Walker's piano sonatas, for Bridge Records. Mr. Beck is a member of the Knights, the Talea Ensemble, Quattro Mani, and the Da Capo Chamber Players. He is on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. A Steinway Artist, he is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where he now teaches orchestral piano.
Violist Laura Sacks is a New York City-based violist who enjoys a multifaceted career. She has recently performed with the Sarasota Opera, New York City Ballet, June in Buffalo, NOVUS, Albany Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of New York. Her chamber music series, Crystalline Chamber Collective is in its second season.
Comfortable in many genres, Laura joined the Eagles on their North American tour in 2018 and was the violist on the Broadway National Tour of Miss Saigon- she has also subbed on Broadway in NYC. Highlights of this year include performances with Barry Manilow and Halsey. She regularly records with the Grammy winning 8 Bit Big Band and has performed in the house band on Saturday Night Live. Laura holds degrees from New York University, the Manhattan School of Music, and most recently completed her doctorate at Stony Brook University.
The concert is free. Donations are accepted. Seating begins at 2:30 p.m.
THE PROGRAM:
C.P.E. Bach: Viola da Gamba Sonata in G minor, Wq. 88
1. Allegro moderato
2. Larghetto
3. Allegro assai
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14
1. Adagio sostenuto
2. Allegretto
3. Presto agitato
Intermission
Alexander Glazunov: Elegy, Op. 44
Franz Liszt: Liebestraum no. 3 in A-flat major, S. 541/3
Scherzo and March, S. 177.
Carl Reinecke: 3 Fantasiestücke for viola & piano, Op. 43
1. Romanze
2. Allegro molto agitato
3. Molto vivace
There will be a “Meet the Musicians” reception following the performance with free coffee and refreshments. The church is wheelchair accessible and a very comfortable concert venue.