Mercyhurst music student composers to premier their compositions in concert

Eleanor Hein, Staff writer

It’s that time of year again: the snow is not falling, the temperature is not dropping and the music department is not decomposing.
Unsure about the last claim? Come see for yourself at the 2017 annual Composers Concert.
The concert will feature a number of pieces—many premiering to the world for the first time ever.
The pieces have been composed by students of Albert Glinsky, Ph.D., a research fellow and professor here at Mercyhurst University and a graduate of The Juilliard School.
Glinsky has made for himself a respectable career in the musical field, having received a number of awards for his works.
His book “Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage” has received international recognition, having also been awarded the prestigious ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award in 2001.
He has also given many lectures across North America and Europe and even made appearances on Discovery Channel, the A&E Network, the Science Channel, several National Public Radio (NPR) programs and a number of other networking channels.
The ever–talented composer continues to make his mark in music by training the next generation of composers and musicians here at Mercyhurst University.
His students have worked hard in their compositions, and it would suffice to say that music is their forte.
Featured composers at the concert are Jeanette Fourier, Christian Goulione, Mariana Mathewson, Nicholas Nasibyan and Joshua Phillips.
The performers will include Mercyhurst Music Department staff Nathan Hess, D.M.A., on piano and Jonathan Moser on violin.
Also performing are junior music major Jake Shearer on baritone, guest alumnus Jared Hancock, ’16, on baritone and staff accompanist Sarah Kahl, D.M.A., on piano.
Mathewson spent all year working on her piece.
The piece is a string quartet and it is titled String Quartet No. 1.
Mathewson describes the piece as “folksy music.”
There are three movements in the piece.
The first is in sonata form with two distinct melodies, the second is titled “Lullaby” because it reminds her of a rocking chair and the third movement is titled “Avalanche” because Mathewson says that it  sounds like an avalanche.
The composers and performers together form a sharp group of people, and it is certain to say this concert will not fall flat.
All of the music has been written throughout the academic school year and will include music for piano, strings and voice.
The performance will be no minor feat, and will have audiences coming back for more. This is no surprise, however, as past concerts have generated many positive reviews.
Now the time has come again for these talented composers to showcase their latest work, which with a year more of experience from last year, can only be the best Composers Concert yet.
Open to all audiences and free of charge, it’s not a show to be missed.
It will take place in the Walker Recital Hall on April 30, at 2 p.m.