Glenn Korff School of Music horn alumnus Steven Cohen will present a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Westbrook Music Building, Room 130. The concert is free and open to the public.
The program will feature works by living composers who have made their mark in the 21st century writing for horn, as well as a world premiere of a piece by Philip Glass.
“The concert will share Drew Phillips’ ‘Distant Echo’; ‘Meet You Again’ from Australian composer Emma Gregan, which is inspired by Walt Whitman’s poem ‘To a Stranger’; the conclusion of Act III from Glass’ mesmerizing opera ‘Satyagraha,’ arranged for horn and piano; and three works from James Naigus — his monumental ‘Sonata for Horn’ and two pieces for two horns and piano,” Cohen said. “I’m excited to be joined on the Naigus works for two horns by two special guests, UNL Professor of Horn Alan Mattingly and Airman First Class Karlee Kamminga from the U.S. Air Force’s Heartland of America Band.”
The Glass work was arranged by Paul Barnes, Marguerite Scribante Professor of Piano, who will join him in performing the world premiere of the piece.
“I’ve been a great admirer of Paul’s playing since I was a student at UNL, and we’ve kept in touch since I graduated in 2015,” Cohen said. “It is always a treat to see him perform during his visits to New York, and when I was looking to give an alumni recital, he was my first call to collaborate with. To have the opportunity to share the stage with Paul is something I’ve been looking forward to for over a decade, and I’m thrilled we have this opportunity with such a special program.”
He hopes audiences will come hear the performance.
“This recital is a collaboration between two internationally renowned artists who love sharing music with the world,” Cohen said. “Something that Paul and I are both passionate about is commissioning new works, and to be able to build a program that features four works that I commissioned, alongside the world premiere from Philip Glass, wouldn’t be possible without Paul’s incredible work with Glass.”
Cohen is also looking forward to performing in the new music building.
“UNL and the Ssate of Nebraska have done something so special in the building of Westbrook 2.0, and it is truly a statement of the university’s continued investment in the School of Music and the Hixson-Lied College,” Cohen said. “I feel fortunate to have multiple opportunities in visiting Westbrook 2.0 during construction, and to be able to see that framework become the incredible space it is now is truly astonishing. The School of Music has something in the new building that is cutting-edge and groundbreaking.”
Cohen said he had many special moments as a student in the Korff School.
“From winning the concerto competition and having the opportunity to solo with the UNL Symphony Orchestra to countless recitals and ensemble performances, each one was a special moment,” Cohen said. “Even as an alumnus, I look back at how memorable and novel the 2022 world premiere of Kevin Day’s ‘Windborne: Concerto for Horn and Wind Ensemble’ with the UNL Wind Ensemble with Dr. Carolyn Barber was given how monumental that concerto is. I feel so lucky to be a graduate of the Glenn Korff School of Music because of moments like these.”
He hopes another special moment will take place at the recital Sept. 18.
“The works on this program truly speak to everyone, and I feel confident that audience members will enjoy every musical moment of this recital,” Cohen said.
Cohen has been heard internationally as a solo, orchestral, Broadway and chamber musician. Hailing from New York, he is in demand as a recital soloist and has been a featured and guest artist at numerous horn events throughout the world. For more on Cohen, visit his website.
