Final 2008-2009 Celebrity Series Performance Features UA Symphony, Pianist David Breitman

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Pianist David Breitman will perform alongside The University of Alabama Huxford Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. April 20 in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the UA campus for the final 2008-2009 Celebrity Series performance.

Breitman is equally at home with the fortepiano and the modern piano, and his growing discography reflects that versatility. Most recently he recorded a major new song cycle by the Cuban-American composer Jorge Martin with baritone Sanford Sylvan, after giving the 65-minute work its New York premiere at Carnegie Recital Hall in May 2000.

This was the fourth recital record with Sylvan, following “Beloved that Pilgrimage” (20th century American song cycles), Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin, and an all-Fauré disc. “Pilgrimage” and the Fauré were nominated for Grammy awards. Also in 2000, he released Mozart’s fortepiano-violin sonatas with Jean François Rivest, a four-CD set on Amberola. He also has done recordings for Elektra/Nonesuch and Titanic Records.

Breitman received his bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976, his master’s degree from New England Conservatory in 1981, and his doctorate of music from Cornell University in 1992. He studied fortepiano with Malcolm Bilson and piano study with Patricia Zander.

The University of Alabama’s Huxford Symphony Orchestra is one of the School of Music’s finest ensembles. Named in honor of Camilla Huxford, the Orchestra is conducted by Carlton McCreery, director of Orchestral Studies. The Huxford Symphony has collaborated with such noted artists as Joseph Silverstein, Ellen Taaffe Zwillich, James Earl Jones, Charles Vernon and Anshel Brusilow.

The ensemble performs a wide variety of music, including works of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Wagner. In addition, the Orchestra regularly performs oratorios and operas. The Huxford Symphony Orchestra was recently featured on Alabama Public Television as part of the 50th year celebration of APT. The ensemble maintains an impressive concert schedule throughout the academic year.

Accompanying the concert, Breitman will host a masters class at 3:30 p.m. April 21 in the Recital Hall of the Moody Music Building. The masters class is free and open to the public.

The Celebrity Series, which has been bringing world-renowned musicians to Tuscaloosa since 1988, is sponsored by UA’s College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music.

Ticket prices are $22 and $15 for general admissions and $7 for students. For tickets, phone 205/348-7111 or visit www.music.ua.edu for more information.

UA’s School of Music is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the “USA Today” Academic All American Teams.