Sibelius’ "The Trees" and other works, a concert by pianist Timothy Melbinger, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at Penn State Altoona.
“The Trees, op. 75,” is composer Jean Sibelius’ set of five sketches inspired by the trees surrounding his countryside home in Ainola, Finland. Composed in 1914, the work falls between the Late Romantic and Modern Eras in many ways, containing haunting melodies and textures ranging from stark to lush. Also on the program, are selections from Béla Bartók’s “Mikorkosmos Book V”, Franz Schubert’s “Piano Sonata in A minor,” Stephen Heller’s “Études mélodiques,” Claude Debussy’s “Bruyères,” and Alexander Scriabin’s “Preludes, op. 16.”
Melbinger holds degrees from Brandeis University and University of California Irvine. He currently teaches music theory and music history at Penn State Altoona. He also is a composer and conductor, assuming both roles in the 28 songs of "Beauty Prevails on its Own Terms," a concert held on campus in 2014.
The concert is free and open to the public. The Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday and before and during all performances. Free parking is available after 3 p.m. in the Misciagna lot. For further information, call 814-949-5452 or visit the website at www.altoona.psu.edu.