Five concerts in April will showcase the breadth of new music at the 2022 Robb Composers' Symposium and feature numerous world premieres. The concerts are part of the John Donald Robb Trust’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Robb served as dean of the The University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts from 1942 to 1957 and was responsible for starting the UNM Symphony and many other initiatives. As a composer, he produced an impressive body of work performed worldwide. His fascination with traditional folk music led him to collect 3,000 field recordings of traditional songs and dances which are digitally archived at the UNM Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research.
The extraordinary vocal sextet Ekmeles is coming from New York City to do two different concerts Tuesday, April 5, at UNM's Keller Hall and Thursday, April 7, downtown at the Cathedral of St. John's. The program includes a commissioned work by guest composer Patricia Alessandrini. Both concerts are at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. at Keller Hall, popular virtuoso pianist Emanuele Arciuli will perform a kaleidoscope of new American works.
Sunday, April 10, at Keller Hall, the Annual Robb Concert features renowned operatic vocalist Seth Keetonand the UNM Choirs in a tribute to John Donald Robb and is followed by a public reception.
All four of these concerts are free.
Sunday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. another ticketed concert at Chatter, 912 3rd St. in Albuquerque, celebrates outstanding performances of several local composers. Tickets are $20 at the door or $5-$16 at chatterabq.org.
Additionally, there will be daytime workshops, talks, and masterclasses at UNM featuring these guests. Workshops will also include a residency with the New York new music ensemble Loadbang who will be working extensively with UNM student composers. Find details on the Robb Trust website.
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust supports the musical legacy of JD Robb, furthers his commitment to education, and advances music of the Southwest. Trust programming includes the annual Composers’ Symposium, Música Del Corazón, a biennial composition commission, the Robb Award for excellence, a UNM graduate assistantship, and various underwriting projects.
Image: vocal sextet Ekmeles