Professor and pianist Paul Orgel will perform a solo recital featuring music by Ernest Chausson, Josef Suk, and Max Reger on Sunday, March 2, 3:30 p.m., at the UVM Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Orgel writes, “My March 2nd faculty piano recital offers something ‘off the beaten path.’” The program features three little-known compositions by three great, but neglected composers. The music — very melodic, and very personal — comes from three different musical traditions — French, Czech, and German — at the turn of the 20th century, and is composed in a late-Romantic style.
The program consists of Ernest Chausson’s Quelques Danses, op. 26, Josef Suk’s About Mother, op. 28, and Max Reger’s From My Diary, Volume 3.
Born in New York City, Orgel has performed throughout the United States, China, and Eastern Europe as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra and chamber musician. Critics have praised his playing for its “subtlety and attention to nuance” (Philadelphia Inquirer), “rare pathos” (New York Times), and “brilliant technique, sense of humor and fantasy” (Bridgeport Post). He can be heard on recordings of music by Louis Moyse (Works for Flute and Piano) on the CRI (now New World) label, a 2003 Grammy nominee, and on Capstone (Keyboard Fantasies by Curt Cacioppo). His solo recording, "Music of the Holocaust" featuring music by Karel Berman, Pavel Haas, Gideon Klein, and Viktor Ullmann, was released on the Phoenix USA label in 2005.
Well known locally as a private piano teacher of advanced students, Orgel is a member of the UVM Department of Music and Dance faculty, director of the Humanities Program Concert Series at Saint Michael’s College, and a member of the faculty at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. http://www.paulorgel.com
Orgel will also give a second free piano recital at the McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Michael’s College on Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m., featuring music by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Verdi/Liszt and Chopin.
Information: paulorgel.com, (802) 656-2295.