The Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series for 2018-2019 will open on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. with pianist Benita Rose and saxophonist Tony Gibbs presenting classical music played on an instrument customarily associated with jazz. The concert will include a sonata originally written for violin by Cesar Franck, a set of variations on the popular Carnival of Venice and Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody.
The Rose-Gibbs Duo has performed throughout the United States. Their recitals include classical pieces of many styles, some originally written for violin, trumpet, piano or oboe. The arrangements for the alto saxophone and piano are performed with exquisite virtuosity and expressivity.
In order to play the pieces originally written for the violin, Tony Gibbs must play very high notes that are not found in ordinary fingerings for the saxophone. They require the use of “false fingering” to access pitches occurring in the overtone series.
The series is in its seventh season of sponsoring concerts of classical music in Granby, and supported by grants from the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the Granby Education Foundation. Sponsored by the music ministry of South Congregational Church, the concerts are free to the public with a suggested donation of $10 to support the series.
For more information please contact the South Church office at 860-653-7289 or visit the website at southchurchgranby.org/connect/music/bruce-porter-memorial-music-series