Join us for four in-depth musical experiences with our Musical Masters lecture series, beginning on Sunday, March 3rd at 2pm and continuing throughout Spring 2019. Open to the public, the Conservatory’s lecture series will include insight from experts Michael Boriskin, Mark Morganelli, Andrew Armstrong, and Elliott Forrest on the topics of Chamber Music, Brazilian Jazz, Musical Storytelling, and Film Music.

Tickets for individual lectures are $25 each, and can be purchased online under Purchase Tickets.

Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 2PM

“The World of Chamber Music: Rational (and Irrational) Conversations,” will be led by Michael Boriskin, Artistic & Executive Director of Copland House. An internationally acclaimed pianist and expert on chamber music, Boriskin will dive into the concept of this genre he describes as “rational people conversing.” He will share his take on the provocative, innovative, and intensely moving musical works written for small instrumental ensembles that inspire these dialogues.

With live and recorded performances, his presentation will sample revered classics, lesser-known masterworks, intriguing rarities, and works mixing unusual instrumental combinations, as well as recent pieces that are new benchmarks for coming generations. In a musical adventure, the lecture will explore the span of nearly 250 years of chamber music compositions from Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Copland, Messiaen, and much more, discussing the mastery within these conversations both rational and irrational. View Bio

Take a musical voyage to enjoy “Brazilian Jazz: From Samba to American Standards” presented by Artistic Director of Tarrytown’s Jazz Forum and Brazilian Jazz expert Mark Morganelli. Discover the cross-fertilization between Brazilian music, illustrating the genres of bossa nova, samba, and toada, and American Jazz influences, accompanied by Morganelli’s latest recorded work, Brasil! Lecture attendees will also be treated to a live musical performance by trumpeter/flugelhornist Morganelli demonstrating the unconventional, “new wave” rhythms that continue to move music lovers around the world.

Compositions by Brazilian Jazz greats Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfa, Claudio Roditi, and Marcos Valle will be played and woven into the vibrant discussion. With more than 30 years of masterful experience with Brazilian Jazz bands, recordings, and performances with international jazz legends, Morganelli’s passion for this unique musical sound extends into this exclusive presentation. View Bio

The Conservatory invites adult music lovers to discover the stories behind the gorgeous compositions of Chopin, Debussy, Lizst, Mussorgsky, and more for “Musical Storytelling: The Poetry Behind Piano Masterpieces” with acclaimed concert pianist Andrew Armstrong.
A renowned solo pianist having performed at Caramoor, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Warsaw’s National Philharmonic, Armstrong astounds audiences around the world with his passionate artistic expression.

In his presentation, audience members will compose musical stories in their minds while enjoying his superb piano performances of evocative works from such composers as Scriabin, Ravel, Mussorgsky, Aaron Jay Kernis, Liszt, Debussy, and Chopin. Armstrong encourages audiences to consider the following: What is the atmosphere, the mood, the setting? Who are the characters? Where is the conflict? Let the lyrical melodies, sumptuous harmonies, compelling rhythms, and refined proportions take you on an imaginative ride through Armstrong’s magnificent performances of classical masterpieces at this special event. View Bio

Lights. Camera. Action. Cue music! In this exclusive presentation of “Film Music: Groundbreaking Director/Composer Collaborations,” Peabody Award-winning Broadcaster & Producer and WQXR radio host Elliott Forrest will explore the unique relationship of film composers and directors, charting the evolution of the art form. Within the discussion, he will also address why film composers’ scores were initially not welcome for performance in concert halls and how that has changed today.

Film buffs and music lovers will experience an in-depth, interactive, cinematic ride. Through video clips from some of his favorite and historically significant films, Mr. Forrest will showcase music by such groundbreaking composers as Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Psycho, Vertigo, Taxi Driver), John Williams (Star Wars, Schindler’s List), Nino Rota (The Godfather), Ennio Morricone (The Mission), Danny Elfman (Edward Scissorhands), and more. This exclusive event is not to be missed! View Bio