Myra Presents: Sunday Concerts in the Galleries 2012 - 2013 Season

September 16, 2012
Tango Rendezvous International
Twenty Years without Astor, a History of the Future of Tango
Alejandro Drago, Violin
with Special Guests

Alejandro Drago’s mother was a Buenos Aires tango dancer whose little son tagged along. Today conductor, arranger, and violin soloist Alejandro is a leading interpreter and historian of the tango. He will unveil his latest extravaganza Tango Rendezvous International: "Twenty Years without Astor, A History of the Future of Tango.”Guest artists include violinist Dana Tolan (Romania/USA), violist Monica de la Hoz (Brazil/USA), double bass player Michael Glynn (USA), and pianist Nariaki Sugiura (Japan/USA), along with the University of North Dakota Student String Quartet, and members of the UND Chamber Orchestra. The program will consist of works by Astor Piazzolla, Mariano Mores, Julian Plaza, Sonia Possetti, Alejandro Drago, Gerardo Matos Rodriguez, Jacob Gade, and Horacio Salgan.

October 14, 2012
Sarah Cahill, Piano

Sarah Cahill, recently called “fiercely gifted” by the New York Times and “as tenacious and committed an advocate as any composer could dream of” by the San Francisco Chronicle, has commissioned, premiered, and recorded numerous compositions for solo piano. She will present a two-part program in North Dakota that celebrates the work of composer John Cage on his 100th birthday. Cage’s own music will be foiled by the music of his teachers. According to Museum Director, Laurel Reuter, “Sarah is brilliant at engaging audiences in what they might consider difficult music. Enjoy!”

November 25, 2012
Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet

Tine Thing Helseth is a Norwegian trumpet soloist specializing in classical repertoire. Now twenty-four years old, Helseth started to play trumpet at the age of seven and is one of the leading trumpet soloists of her generation. This star of the future is already widely recognized in the classical music world. She won the 2009 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, was named ”Newcomer of the Year” at the 2007 Norwegian Grammy Awards (the first classical artist ever to be nominated), the Luitpold Prize as the most outstanding and interesting young artist of the year at the Kissinger Summer Festival, and the prestigious Prince Eugen’s Culture Prize in Stockholm.

January 13, 2013
ETHEL Quartet

The string quartet ETHEL has been a post-classical pioneer since it was founded in 1998. New York’s ebullient ETHEL serves as Artists-in-Residence at New York City’s Park Avenue Armory, the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Grand Canyon Music Festival as part of the Native American Composers Apprenticeship Project, and the official house band of TEDxManhattan and TEDxBig Apple conferences. 

March 3, 2013
MAYA Trio

The term “maya” has deep roots and diverse meanings around the world. In Hindu philosophy, “maya” is the divine power which has created the cosmos. In Buddhism, “maya” is the veil of illusion, the transitory appearance of the physical world, and a metaphoric challenge for spiritual aspirants. In the Americas, the Mayan people formed a highly developed culture whose singular achievements included monumental architecture, agriculture, astronomy, mathematics, and a distinct calendrical system. Maya is a term found in the Upanishads, in Vedic and Sanskrit writings—a richly evocative image in cultures and literature throughout the East. MAYA, a trio formed in the summer of 2005, brings to the Myra Series a uniquely compelling and rhythmically driven combination of flute, harp, and percussion, performing classical and new music, world music, and incorporating improvisations into its performances.