The University at Buffalo Department of Music is recognized world-wide as an institution where artistically compelling and very unique events take place. We are the only place on the globe that presents all 16 of Beethoven's string quartets annually, and in perpetuity (since 1955). We are regarded by many musicians near and far as a destination to experience the creation and performance of new music at the highest level. Our Visiting Artist Series resembles concert listings at some of the world's most prestigious and revered concert venues. Please enjoy perusing our concert offerings, and we'll look forward to seeing you at a concert event in the near future!
Wednesday, September 6
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Slee Hall box office only.
Receive one complimentary ticket for every ticket purchased to a UB Department of Music concert. The complimentary ticket does not need to be for the same event.
Friday, September 8
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
The William Blake Cycle: Unseen, Unbodied, Unknown, featuring saxophonist Kyle Hutchins
Skidmore’s multimedia saxophone opera with chamber ensemble and spatial audio, video, and theatrical direction considers text and characters created by William Blake, exploring relationships between mythological characters in the Blake universe, non-binary gender identity, gender stereotypes, and sexual politics.
Saturday, September 16
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy-nominated performer and composer. The Haitian-American artist is hailed for being “a fresh and invigorating cross-cultural voice”. (The Nation). Her creative practice centers an authentic commitment to storytelling and human connectivity while advocating for social change and cultural awareness, gaining her the reputation of being “powerful and unpretentious.” (The New York Times)
Created by composer and Juilliard Creative Associate Nathalie Joachim Ki moun ou ye (Who are you?) is a new evening-length (65’) song cycle that weaves together textured vocal samples, somber flute tones, and longing melodies that take listeners on a journey of discovery and defining of self. It will be performed in English and Haitian Kreyòl.
Tuesday, September 19
7:30 p.m.
$10
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
This eminent European ensemble turned the 18th century concept of a violin duo into a driving force of contemporary exploration. Cecilia and Martin Gelland revive forgotten gems with historically inspired insight, and in close collaboration with composers, bring new scores to life.
Sunday, October 1
3 p.m.
$10
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
with special guest pianist Debi Adams
Michael Serio will be joined by Debi Adams, faculty member of the Boston Conservatory, in a piano four hand program that will include a set of 7 pieces by Thomas Cabaniss called Tiny Bits of Outrageous Love, Samuel Barber's Souvenirs, Brahms's Waltzes, Op. 39, and arrangements of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise and Mozart's Papageno.
Tuesday, October 17
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Program to feature chamber musicians of the Slee Sinfonietta.
Wednesday, October 18
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Corina Belcea & Suyeon Kang, violin; Krzysztof Chorzelski, viola; Antoine Lederlin, cello
Schubert: Quartet in E-flat Major, D. 87
Dvořák: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 51 “Slavonic”
~intermission~
Bartók: Quartet No. 5
As the London Times wrote in the Spring of 2019, these musicians are not confined by traditional boundaries. The two founding members, the Romanian violinist Corina Belcea and the Polish violist Krzysztof Chorzelski, brought a very different artistic provenance to the ensemble in 1994.
Saturday, October 28
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
An inaugural recital curated by Su Lian Tan and David Sanford for pianist May Phang. Color, shape, rumination, a set of expressions and impressions composed for the contemporary piano, this program includes underrepresented and emerging composers and will kick off with a world premiere by Jeffrey Mumford.
Program to include:
Kaija Saariaho: Ballade
Jeffrey Mumford: resonant echoes, world premiere (commissioned by Su Lian Tan and David Sanford)
John McDonald:
1) That Thus May Flow…
And Not Altogether Matter
2) Sol, Ut
3) Fantasy Couple
Chen Zhangyi: Clima
Su Lian Tan: The Other Pictures
Thursday, November 2–Saturday, November 4
$20
*All concerts held in Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Daniel Ching & William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello
The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated and dedicated string quartets, having been labeled by The New Yorker as “furiously committed” and noted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer for its “exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity.” For over twenty-five years the Quartet has performed throughout the world on the most prestigious concert stages.
Tuesday, November 7
8 p.m.
$30
Mary Seaton Room
Kleinhans Music Hall
Frederik Øland & Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violin; Asbjørn Nørgaard, viola; Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin, cello
Co-sponsored with the Buffalo Chamber Music Society.
Purcell: Chaconne in G minor, Z. 730
Haydn: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 20, No. 3
Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 7, Op. 108
~intermission~
A selection of Folk music
Tickets for this event are at Buffalo Chamber Music Society.
*This event will not be offered as part of the BOGO sale.
Wednesday, November 8
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Mozart: Divertimento in F Major, K. 138
Thomas Adès: Four Quarters String Quartet, Op. 28
Britten: Three Divertimenti
~intermission~
Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 (“Death and the Maiden”)
"What they do know is how to be an exceptional quartet, whatever repertory they play." — The New York Times
Thursday, November 16
7:30 p.m.
Free
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
Works by Leah Reid, Ted Moore, Elizabeth A. Baker, UB composer Cort Lippe, and UB alumni Barry Moon.
Saturday, November 18
3 p.m.
Free
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
Composer and pianist Yvar Mikhashoff taught at UB from 1973 until his death in 1993. This program will celebrate Mikhashoff’s legacy with original works and transcriptions performed by the Frisof/Pesca flute and piano duo as well as UB faculty, students and alumni.
Presented with support from UB’s Center for 21st Century Music
Friday, December 1
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Known for their “enthusiastic embrace of daring new music” (Chicago Reader), Fonema Consort commissions, performs, and records new music characterized by deep expressivity that explores the possibilities of the human voice in avant garde chamber settings. This concert features iconic works by eminent guest composer Julio Estrada, Pablo Santiago Chin, and Gabriela Paraskevaídis.
Thursday, February 1
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Slee Hall box office only.
Receive one complimentary ticket for every ticket purchased to a UB Department of Music concert. The complimentary ticket does not need to be for the same event.
Friday, February 9
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Cécile McLorin Salvant, is a composer, singer, and visual artist. The late Jessye Norman described Salvant as“a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings.”
Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling and finding the connections between vaudeville, blues, theater, jazz, baroque and folkloric music. Salvant is an eclectic curator, unearthing rarely recorded, forgotten songs with strong narratives, interesting power dynamics, unexpected twists, and humor.
Local artist Curtis Lovell will open for Cécile McLorin Salvant in a 20 minute set.
Friday, March 1
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
This annual concert features a few advanced, highly accomplished students from the renowned organ studio at the Eastman School of Music. Alums who have performed at this concert in past years have gone on to secure top prizes in competition and distinguished organist positions.
Curated by UB Faculty member Sungmin Shin, in collaboration with the Slee Visting Artist Series.
Friday, March 8
4 p.m.
Free
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
Friday, March 8
4 p.m.
Free
Baird Recital Hall
Room 250 Baird Hall
An all-star cast of Buffalo area guitarists will perform.
Saturday, March 9
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Buffalo native and Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone), is described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.” In appearances from New York’s Lincoln Center to Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and the Seoul Arts Center, Jason Vieaux has cemented his reputation as an artist of brilliance and uncompromised mastery. Cited for his “eloquent and vibrant performances” on disc (Gramophone Magazine) he is hailed as “virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing and, sometimes ineffably lyrical” (New York Times) on stage.
Four Paths of Light: Bach to Metheny
Sunday, March 10
11 a.m.
Free
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Soloists, ensembles, and the festival guitar orchestra will be featured.
Wednesday, March 13 -
Thursday, March 14
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Featuring the Slee Sinfonietta
An abstract setting of the Cupid/Psyche myth, this performance features the Slee Sinfonietta under the direction of guest conductor David Cubek; guest artists Nina Dante as Psyche, Alyssa Anderson as Venus, Adam Zahller as Cupid, and Justin Anthony Spenner as Father; as well as a chorus and dance troupe of UB student performers.
Tuesday, March 26
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
This concert is presented in celebration of composer Roger Reynold's 90th birthday and will feature the world premiere of his Piano Études, book II: Extensions and the New York premiere of Actions for piano and computer musicians.
Tuesday, April 9
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Tiffany Du Mouchelle, soprano and Stephen Solook, percussion
Featuring works presented on their upcoming CD (Fall 2024) by: Milton Babbitt, John Cage, Carolyn Chen, Tania León, Lewis Nielson, and Roberto Sierra
Friday, April 12 -
Sunday, April 14
$20
*All concerts held in Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Lucy Wang & Hao Zhou, violin; Aiden Kane, viola; Tate Zawadiuk, cello
Praised for their “virtuosity, visceral expression, and rare unity of intention” (Boston Globe), the Viano Quartet is one of the most sought-after performing young ensembles today and currently in-residence at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Bowers Program from 2024-2027. Since winning First Prize at the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition, they have traveled to nearly every major city across the globe.
Tuesday, April 16
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
with flutist Carol Wincenc
The program will feature Su Lian Tan’s Autumn Lute Song, Lukas Foss’ For Toru, and others.
Friday, April 19
7:30 p.m.
$10
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Winner of the 2021 Canadian International Organ competition, and the 2018 American Guild of Organists National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, Aaron Tan is one of North America’s leading young artists.
Germani: Toccata
Bach: Allein, BWV 663
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker
Weir: Tree of peace
Demessieux: Lumiere
Bonnal: Paysages euskariens, mvmt 1
Laurin: Poeme Symphonique for Advent
Vaughan Williams: Choral Preluede on Song 33
Vierne: Final – Symphonie 5
Co-sponsored by the Buffalo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Wednesday, May 1
7:30 p.m.
$20
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
Internationally recognized as one of today’s most acclaimed and admired pianists, Yefim Bronfman stands among a handful of artists regularly sought by festivals, orchestras, conductors and recital series. His commanding technique, power and exceptional lyrical gifts are consistently acknowledged by the press and audiences alike.
Schubert: Sonata in A minor, Op. 143
Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien
Salonen: Sisar
~intermission~
Chopin: Sonata in B minor Op. 58
Co-sponsored by The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Friday, May 3
4-9 p.m.
Free
Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall
This program will feature many UB student ensembles and performers. If the weather cooperates, the event will take place on the plaza in front of Slee Hall. We would encourage audience members to bring lawn chairs, food and refreshments. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved indoors to Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall. Details will be posted on our website closer to the concert date.
Sunday, June 9 -
Saturday, June 15
This annual, international festival for aspiring composers includes a full week of concerts featuring the music of five distinguished faculty composers. Afternoon concerts highlighting the work of the student composers will also take place throughout the week. Some of the world’s most committed musicians to the performance of recent music will perform. Daily lectures, masterclasses and workshops round out this intensive week. The concert schedule and other details will be announced in the Spring.
All concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, unless otherwise noted. Some concerts may take place in Baird Recital Hall, Room 250 Baird Hall.
All concert events are ticketed and priced below unless otherwise noted in the Event Calendar:
Further information: (716) 645-2921 or rehard@buffalo.edu
Buy One, Get One ticket promotion on September 6, 2023 and February 1, 2024. Visit the Slee Hall box office from 11-6 p.m. to pick up your tickets!
The Slee Visiting Artist Series and the Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle are made possible, in part, by the generosity of the late Frederick and Alice Slee.
Center for 21st Century Music events are sponsored and managed by The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music in the UB Department of Music. Jonathan Golove, Artistic Director