As the second world war drew to a close, Albuquerque was blessed with an influx of European immigrants—in many cases Jewish—whose intellectual acumen and industrious nature manifested itself both in the laboratories surrounding the growing city and at its university. In the college of Fine Arts at UNM it was not uncommon to believe that giants roamed the halls of academe in the years between 1946 and 1996.
Nowhere was this more true than in the Music Department, who by this time could claim faculty of world-renown who also happened to be part of a growing music community in Burque. Among them, great artists like pianist George Robert and violinist Leonard Felberg.
Felberg’s legacy is sustained through a university music program that continues to produce world-class performers, composers and theorists—not to mention dazzling violinists, violists and cellists. It’s also a program that gives back to the community every year with a Summer Music Institute that celebrates string instruments and the music they make.
Participants are immersed in intensive and inventive musical interactions, coached and trained to absorb and creatively reflect a profoundly melodious culture through the universal language of music. A solo competition features thousands of dollars in prizes and there are also recitals.
And those concerts form the center and the heart of this celebration. Beginning this weekend and continuing through Saturday, June 1, interested listeners can float through the following:
All events are free of charge
Sunday, May 26, 4pm, UNM Keller Hall
Chamber music concert featuring UNM SMI faculty and guest artists
Carmelo de los Santos and Stephen Redfield, violin
Kim Fredenburgh and David Felberg, viola
Felix Fan, cello
Solo and chamber music works of Beethoven, Mozart, Dvorak , Bach and more!
Monday, May 27, 7pm, Robertson and Sons Violin Shop Recital Hall, 3201 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque
UNMSMI Solo Competition Finalists Recital
Hear our virtuoso young artists compete for $2500+ in cash and prizes.
Vote for “Audience choice” award!
Music of Bach, Sarasate, Ysaye, Dvorak and more!
Thursday, May 30, 7pm, San Miguel Chapel, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe
Chamber music, chamber orchestra and solo works
Featuring solo violinists, Chloe Trevor and Carmelo de los Santos with the UNMSMI chamber orchestra and chamber ensembles. Works of Bach, Piazzolla, Mozart, Janacek and more!
Friday, May 31, 8pm, UNM Keller Hall
Grand Finale Chamber Music Concert
UNM SMI chamber ensembles in their final performance.
Selections from eloved chamber works by Dvorak, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Borodin and Shostakovich
Saturday, June 1, 12pm
Annual Family Concert, UNM Keller Hall
“Otter’s Odd Adventure” for narrator and orchestra
Magic tricks and performances by young artists.
Cookie and lemonade reception to follow.
Saturday, June 1, 6pm
Gala Chamber Orchestra Concert, Keller Hall
Featuring violinists Chloe Trevor and Carmelo de los Santos
Dramatic and exciting works by Piazzolla, Sarasate, Vivaldi, Mozart and others.
Reception with artists to follow.
