Trinity Presbyterian Church Presents Richard Alston, Pianist in 'Classically Black: Piano Compositions by Composers of African Descent' Feb. 17, 4 PM

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Trinity Presbyterian ChurchPresentsRichard AlstonPianistin a benefit* concert performing"Classically Black: Piano Compositions by Composers of African Descent"   As seen on the PBS Television Station WHYY                     <><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Trinity Presbyterian ChurchOrange Road and High Street, Montclair, NJ 07046Sunday, February 17, 2013, 4:00 pm<><><><><><><><><><><><><><> $10.00*general admission advance purchase$15.00* at the door$5.00*Students and Seniors advance purchase$10.00* at the door<><><><><><><><><><><><><><> For more information call  and give your name toMrs. Deidra McLaughlin and reserve your advance purchase ticket.  862-250-2850                                                                *ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY. If you cannot attend please send a donation to TPCYMM.   

Richard Alston, pianist has appeared in recitals and performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. A native of East Orange, N.J., he received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, in New York City.A child prodigy, at the age of 15, he received a standing ovation at the Brevard Festival for his performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, Richard made his New York debut performing with the Symphony of the New World, under the direction of Everett Lee at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. at the age of 17. Over the years he has performed at the Weill Recital Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City, as well as an outstanding portrayal of “Jasbo Brown” in the Metropolitan Opera revival of “Porgy and Bess”. He repeated his portrayal of “Jasbo Brown” in the historic production by the New Jersey State Opera.           The renowned Maestro, Paul Freeman invited Richard to Europe to record the Arensky Piano Concerto with the Czech National Orchestra. The CD recording which also included “Etudes for Piano Op.74” by Arensky has been released by Centaur Records and is currently available for purchase on Amazon.com, MP3 Download Richard Alston.Presently Assistant Professor and the Coordinator of Essex County College’s Performing Arts Dept., Maestro Alston is currently Minister of Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montclair, NJ. He is also the Founder of the Crossroads Music Academy in Maplewood. Alston is currently pursuing a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Please visit Mr. Alston’s web site www.richardcalston.com and you may also see his video performances at www.Youtube.com/rcapno .
Starting on February 4th and through the entire month, you may view the "Classically Black" PBS documentary produced by WHYY Fridayarts.  Go online to       http://lnkd.in/pE7wdn  You will see Maestro Alston interviewed and performing portions of "Classically Black" in concert excerpts.
                                                               “Classically Black”
What composer born in 1739 and of African descent was known as the “Mozart Noir” ?Who was the piano prodigy Thomas Green Bethune?Why is the composition “The Entertainer” called a “Rag”?What composer of African descent was an influence on the Czech composer Dvorak?What part of the United States is depicted in the suite “In the Bottoms”?What composer of African descent wrote the song “Take The A Train”? What two composers of African descent were teacher and student?
    LEARN THIS AND MORE AT THE “CLASSICALLY BLACK” CONCERT
Please note that I have made a slight change from previous "Classically Black" programs. I have programmed a transcription of Art Tatum's performance of "Ain't Misbeehavin", a Valse by Billy Strayhorn (composed when he was 15 years old) and "Keep Off The Grass" by James P. Johnson. Even though these are by Jazz composers, Tatum's virtuoso technique was admired by many pianists including Vladimir Horowitz, Strayhorn as a teenager aspired to be a classical concert pianist and James P. Johnson's stride piano writing and playing also contained virtuoso passages. I am looking forward to sharing these selections. "Classically Black" can be previewed in the documentary produced by PBS WHYY on linehttp://lnkd.in/pE7wdn     Harmoniously,Richard    Program
I
Troubled Water Margaret Bonds
II
Adagio in f minor Le Chevalier de Saint Georges
Basso Tuba Waltz, op.5 Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins
Maple Leaf Rag Scott Joplin
The Bamboula Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
III
In The Bottoms (Suite) R. Nathaniel Dett
Prelude (Night)
His Song
Honey
Barcarolle (Morning)
Dance (Juba)
IV
Ain't Misbehavin' Waller/Tatum
Valse Billy Strayhorn
Keep Off The Grass James P. Johnson
V
Fantasie Nègre Florence Price