As the first anniversary of his death approaches, a former student of Robert Muczynski will honor the longtime University of Arizona composer by performing a recital of his works.
UA piano professor Rex Woods, who studied under Muczynski in the late 1970s, will join colleague Brian Luce on flute and the Arizona Wind Quintet for "Robert Muczynski: American Voice," a memorial concert Monday in Crowder Hall. The evening, which will focus on Muczynski's chamber compositions spanning his career, begins at 7:30 p.m.
Muczynski composed 50 works for orchestra, solo piano and chamber ensembles. His music is best described as quintessentially American - energetic and rhythmically vital with some contemporary influences of jazz and pop.
Muczynski, who was the composer in residence and a respected instructor at the UA from 1965 to 1988, died of leukemia in May 2010. He was 81.
Admission to Monday's concert is $5; 621-1162.
• Mexican pianist Jesus Maria Figueroa will solo with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra on Maurice Ravel's jazzy Piano Concerto in G major in two concerts this weekend.
The program also includes Ravel's ever-popular "Bolero," Percy Grainger's "Colonial Song" and Paul Hindemith's challenging "Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber."
Figueroa, who has a long history with Tucson and has taught master classes at the University of Arizona over the past two decades, hails from Mexico City, where he began studying piano at the age of 7. He has performed around the globe and teaches at the National School of Music at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City.
SASO will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive in SaddleBrooke. Tickets ($21 in advance, $23 at the door) are available through dvpac.net or by calling 825-2818. The concert repeats at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo Del Norte. Tickets are $20 at the door or in advance at www.sasomusic.org or by calling 323-7166. Children 17 and younger are free at the St. Andrew's performance.
More music notes . . .
• Dancing with Liszt & Ravel - Tucson Music Hall. Terrence Wilson performs Franz Liszt's Concerto for Piano No. 1with Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Also, Ravel's dance-inspired "Rapsodie Espagnole" and "La Valse." 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $20-$75. 882-8585.
• 23rd Annual Leonard and David Schaeffer Memorial Guitar Competition - Holsclaw Hall. Presented by the UA School of Music. 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $9.
• Elena Todd in concert - Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road. Local soprano performs. 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Sunday. Free-will offering accepted. 888-3173.
• Organ Concert - Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road. Chelsea Vaught performs on the Roy Johnson Memorial Organ built by Quimby Pipe Organs of Warrensburg, Mont. 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Free. 327-7121.
• Tucson Concert Band Concert - Mountain Vista Recreation Center Auditorium, 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. Adult community band directed by Herschel Kreloff and Lorelei Conrad performs marches, show tunes and contemporary and classical band music. 2-4 p.m. Sunday. $10. 818-6788.
• Frederick Moyer - West Social Center, Green Valley Recreation, 1111 Via Arco Iris, Green Valley. Classical pieces include works by Schumann. 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. $18. 625-3440, Ext. 7225.
• Sonora Winds Concert - St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St. Includes pieces such as Suite of Old American Dances and Four Scottish Dances. 7:30-9:15 p.m. Wednesday. Free. 731-1997.
• Bach B-Minor Mass - St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church, 600 S. La Cañada Drive, Green Valley. Tucson Chamber Artists professional chamber choir and orchestra perform Bach's behemoth piece. 7-9:30 p.m. next Friday. $20-$30; free for students. 401-2651.
Elsewhere in the Arts . . .
• World acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell learns a new tune for latest tour (C1).
• Tucson Symphony Orchestra meets up with the Eagles (C3).
• Arizona Friends of Chamber Music brings in the Auryn Quartet (C6).
• Kodo's drums keep the beat (C5).
• Jazz at Lincoln Center rolls into town (C1).
• Brubeck Brothers Quartet to perform (C4).
