UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Music has announced the return of its free concert series of faculty recitals: the Rhapsody Series. In the spirit of a rhapsody, each performance is based on a specific theme, with the works on the program reflecting upon that core idea.
Concerts will be held on select Sundays at 4 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall. All performances are free and open to the public.
These performances are shorter than a typical recital and do not involve an intermission, allowing the audience to experience an immersive hour of music without interruption. Each recital is performed by School of Music faculty and collaborators, drawing upon diverse influences and styles.
The full lineup includes:
Sept. 8: "Then and Now" — The School of Music voice area faculty, including Rachel Copeland, Ted Christopher, Norman Spivey, Dawn Pierce and Parker Konkle, will perform pieces that were significant early in their careers and new works that are currently inspiring them.
Sept. 22: "The Odyssey of Acceptance" — Renowned saxophone chamber ensemble the Capitol Quartet presents a broad historical program exploring the saxophone's journey from contraption to artistry. The performance will include the first-ever composition for saxophone quartet, transcriptions from traditional chamber repertoire, recent commissions and premieres, and jazz.
Oct. 20: "Intimate Dialogues" — Rachel Copeland (soprano), Tim Deighton (viola) and Ann Deighton (piano) explore a range of emotions through songs pairing voice with obligato string instrument. The program features transcriptions of songs by Massenet and Strauss, and original settings by Loeffler and Brahms.
Nov. 10: "Kindred Spirits: Music of Brahms & Dvořák" — Max Zorin, joined by the New York-based OneMusic International Ensemble, presents an evening celebrating the friendship of 19th-century masters. The program features Dvořák's Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81, and Brahms' Scherzo from the FAE Sonata for violin and piano.
Feb. 9: "Vistas and Visions" — Horn Professor Sarah Schouten presents music centered on painting pictures through sound, featuring works by Daniel Baldwin, Justinian Tamusuza, James Naigus and Gina Gillie.
Feb. 16: "Match Point" — Margaret P. Fay (bassoon), Timothy Shafer (piano), and Graham Mackenzie (oboe) present a program of sports-inspired music, including works by Lisa Neher, Alexander Tcherepnin, João Guilherme Ripper, Mason Bynes, and the world premiere of Fay's "Match Point."
Feb. 23: "Folk Inspirations" — Professors James Lyon and Anthony J. Costa coordinate an afternoon of chamber music for clarinet and strings, featuring works inspired by folk music from around the globe, including pieces by Jungyoon Wie and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
March 2: "A Chamber Music Odyssey" — Naomi Seidman (flute), Andreas Oeste (oboe), Tim Deighton (viola), Patricia Weitzel (bass) and Melody Quah (piano) present a journey through compositions blending tradition with innovation, featuring works by Charles Loeffler, Andres Martin and Erwin Schulhoff.
Admission is free, though contributions to the School of Music scholarship fund also will be accepted.
For a complete list of performances and more information, please visit https://arts.psu.edu/events.
Parking is available at the Nittany Deck for an hourly rate. All concerts will be livestreamed.