Palisades Virtuosi performs "Musical Tales" concert Mar 1 in Ridgewood

Palisades Virtuosi, a flute, clarinet & piano trio, presents a magical evening of stories and music called "Musical Tales" on Saturday, March 1 at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood. 

This unique musical trio, made up of flutist Margaret Swinchoski, clarinetist Donald Mokrynski, and pianist Ron Levy, commissions works from both established and young composers in order to present audiences with original, exciting contemporary music.

A highlight of this concert will be the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by renowned composer Kerry Turner based on an early gothic novel, "Vathek". This Arabian tale was written by William Beckford in 1782, during a time when European culture was influenced by Orientalism, as well as having a great interest in the supernatural, spirits, and ghosts. The resulting musical composition, a mysterious trip to the past, shows Turner's eclectic and riveting rhythmic style.

Rob McClure, Tony Award nominee for his starring role in the Broadway musical "Chaplin", will be the MC, narrator, and featured singer at this lively concert. Other works in the evening performance include an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's famous story "The Ugly Duckling" set to Camille Saint-Saens' music. This piece, "Caprice", written for flute, oboe, clarinet and piano, will be performed by the Trio and a guest oboist from Montclair State University.

Another engaging story/music combination will be music by Ben Model, one of the leading silent film composer/accompanists, and a student storyteller from the Bergen County Academies. Students at the Academies were challenged to write a compelling short story based on Model's music. This is part of Palisades Virtuosi's program to bring students and professional musicians together.

The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood is at 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ. Concert starts at 8 pm, with a preconcert talk by musicians and composers at 7:15. Tickets are $20, senior/students $15 and include a post concert reception. For information and tickets check www.palisadesvirtuosi.org, call 201-488-4983, or order from Brown Paper Tickets http://m.bpt.me/event/520616