MUSIC

APERIO, Music of the Americas, proudly presents a concert of art songs inspired by traditional folk songs of various countries and generations. Entitled The Roots of Melody – World Folk Traditions and Art Song, the performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Belin Chapel and Recital Hall in the The Joella & Stewart Morris Cultural Arts Center on the Houston Baptist University Campus, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, TX.

Performing will be soprano Tracy Rhodus and pianist William Chapman Nyaho.

Ms. Rhodus is well known in Houston for her expressive and stimulating performances of contemporary arts song and chamber music. Her performances have been hailed by critics in the press as “marvelously expressive” (America Oggi) and “Stunning…emotionally charged” (Deseret Morning News). Opera News praised her voice with its “silvery, soprano gleam.”

Mr. Chapman Nyaho is an internationally celebrated Ghanaian-American pianist making his Houston debut. His solo CD SENKU: Piano Music by Composers of African Descent, was named one of the "Best of the Year" by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which called it "altogether enthralling.” Dr. Maya Angelou wrote that it holds "moments of discovery so delicious that the listeners will be made to laugh out loud and to compliment not just Dr. Chapman Nyaho, but themselves at their good fortune in finding these composers and this pianist."

The concert will open with Greek melodies harmonized by Maurice Ravel (sung in Greek), original songs based on folk tune fragments by Nigerian composer Joshua Uzoigwe (sung in Igbo), and Argentinean dance-inspired songs by Alberto Ginastera, (sung in Spanish). The second half focuses on American themes and includes selections from Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs and John Carter’s virtuosic arrangements of African American spirituals. Mr. Chapman Nyaho will also play two solo piano works based on African-American spirituals by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Margaret Bonds.

Tickets for this event are $20.00 for general admission and $10.00 for students. To purchase tickets for this event, please visit www.aperioamericas.org,  or call 713-965-4597.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Ravel, Mélodies Populaires Greques
Uzoigwe, Six Igbo Songs for Voice and Piano Opus 1
Ginastera, Cinco Canciones Populares Argentinas
Copland, Old American Songs (excerpts)
Carter, Cantata