Program note: “Uno” intertwines a collection of ones. The interplay of the voice and the cello suggests a search of oneself, a moment for reflection. Sparse, for moments frantic, the cello character goes from gritty to idyllic, always exploring. Throughout an introspective journey the piece takes the listener through momentos tangueros based on Mariano Mores’ tango Uno, to strokes of Brahms first Symphony. All tinted with the palette of my own self.

American cellist Natasha Farny has performed as soloist with the Boston Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and several regional orchestras throughout New York state, recently premiering Avner Dorman’s double concerto written for her and Ekstasis Duo partner, Eliran Avni. Solo and chamber music tours include appearances in Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Brazil, and nationally at Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Brooklyn’s Bargemusic “Here and Now” Series, and Florida’s BIG ARTS Sanibel series. Ms. Farny’s debut CD of French cello music on the Centaur label appeared in 2020, followed in 2022 by “Women’s Voices” with Eliran Avni. Nationally, Ms. Farny has performed live on radio programs including Chicago’s “Live from WFMT”, and is a regular guest at WXXI’s “Live from Hochstein” series in Rochester, New York. Recent performances have taken the duo to Merkin Hall, Strings Music Festival (CO), The Holland Theater (OH), and the Del E. Webb Performing Arts Center (AZ). She has been appointed to numerous summer festivals including the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, the Brancaleoni International Music Festival, the National Music Festival (MD), the Colorado Music Festival, and the Fredonia String Camp. During the year, she holds a professorship at the School of Music at SUNY Fredonia.

Variego3’s Latest Album “Recompensa” 

Knoxville, November 2023 – Inspired by the legendary Jimmy Giuffre, the Variego3 trio has unveiled their latest musical offering, “Recompensa,” an album that resonates with a chamber music vibe coupled with a resonant woody sound. Showcasing a blend of original compositions that seamlessly traverse the realms of jazz, free improvisation, and the evocative melodies from el Rio de la Plata, this album marks a pivotal moment in contemporary jazz.

At the heart of this ensemble are the exceptional talents of world-class musicians: Jorge Variego on clarinets and compositions, Jack Roben on guitar, and Rob Linton on double bass. Their synergy is nothing short of breathtaking, evident in their ability to craft infectious yet refined melodies while maintaining an understated elegance that captivates aficionados of both modern jazz and traditional styles.

Jazz Corner praises the Variego3, “It’s a true joy to hear this amazing ensemble of world-class musicians interact with one another, feeding off each other’s chemistry and ability to create massively infectious, yet classy and understated melodies. Whether you are a fan of modern jazz, or you prefer the old guard, you’ll certainly be impressed. This group has got so much to offer, and they bring an unprecedented level of charisma to this genre today.”

“Recompensa,” released under Centaur in 2023, is a testament to the trio’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of musical expression. Through Variego’s original compositions, they artfully blur the lines between genres, inviting listeners on a transcendent journey that fuses diverse influences into a seamless auditory experience.

The Variego3 receives sponsorship from the Domino Ensemble, a non-profit organization committed to championing new music through performance, commission, and promotion. This collaboration underscores the trio’s commitment to innovation and musical exploration, allowing them to continue pushing the envelope in the realm of contemporary jazz.

Students of the MUTC 450/550 class will presented their final projects at the Emporium. New experiments in SuperCollider 🙂
Works by: Cullen Burke, Kyle Cottier, Nathan Ebbs, Siena Fulton, Gus Kohler, Sam Mcrary, Zac Stanisławski, Matt Stanley

Thankful for the curiosity and relentlessness of this AMAZING group of young composers! More than 20 premieres, 10 orchestral miniatures, 10 original film cues describe online a small portion of what happened this summer in the composition program at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Keep those sounds coming, there’s so much more music to write!

Read the complete article by Kevin Nordstrom in the AVS site. 

Thrilling experience to share new site-specific video work for the last concert of the Music Under the Dome series at the Coca Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, GA. This project was a collaboration between the Schwob School of Music and the Science Center. Extremely humbled to have been invited as a guest artist. 

The last concert of the MUTD season, The Fast Truth, will be a tour de force starting with Ian Clarke’s Maya, performed by gifted flute students Daniel Cruz and Jennifer Willis, who will collaborate with Susan Hoskins, our wonderful leader for the Schwob School’s collaborative piano area. Next are two pieces performed by Dr. Alex Avila, tuba/euphonium professor in the SSoM; first up is Fast Track by Patrick Cunningham followed by Drew Bonner’s A Moment of Truth, both extremely colorful pieces played with virtuosic strength. Up next is a classic: Igor Stravinksy’s Three Pieces for Clarinet, presented by excellent Schwob student Bradley Pilcher – these are wonderfully inventive works by one of classical music’s greatest voices. We’ll finish the season with Franz Liszt’s fiendishly challenging Spanish Rhapsody, played by Schwob graduate pianist Jiaqiu Song, and again, presented on our world-class Yamaha Disklavier instrument.

Designs will be offered by composer/artist Jorge Variego, director of the Domino Ensemble and internationally renowned for his creative work.

Reception at 5 pm with wine and cheese, and 45-minute concert at 5:37pm!