Roosevelt pianist presents 'Nocturnes and Ballades'

Roosevelt pianist Alan Mallach will perform a recital of Romantic music Nov. 14 at Roosevelt's borough hall. ROOSEVELT— Moods and stories will permeate Saturday night.

The Roosevelt Arts Project will present "Nocturnes and Ballades," a recital of Romantic music with commentary by pianist Alan Mallach at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 in Borough Hall. The nocturne and the ballade, both defined in Frederic Chopin's piano music, formed the two archetypes of Romantic piano music, the first written to capture a fleeting mood, and the second to tell a story.

During the course of the evening, Mallach will play a selection of Chopin's ballades and nocturnes, as well as ballades and nocturnes by Johannes Brahms and Gabriel Fauré, and lesser known composers of the 19th century including Giuseppe Martucci, Xavier Scharwenka and Charles Villiers Stanford. Along with performing this music, Mallach will offer commentary on the composers and their times.

Mallach, a resident of Roosevelt, began his piano studies in his teens in Israel, continuing after his arrival in the United States with the late Michael Field. A pianist and composer, he has performed widely both in solo recitals and in chamber music, including performances of works by local composers George Antheil and Laurie Altman. He is a well-known writer and speaker on Italian opera, whose most recent book, "The Autumn of Italian Opera," was published in 2007 by The University Press of New England.

The Roosevelt Arts Project has been presenting artistic and cultural events in Roosevelt and vicinity since 1987. Forthcoming programs in this year's series include an exhibit and sale of works by local artists on Dec. 12 and the 60th anniversary of Dylan Thomas' arrival in the United States by Roosevelt poets on Feb. 20.

A voluntary contribution of $5 for the Roosevelt Arts Project will be collected at the door the night of the concert.

For more information about the Roosevelt Arts Project or the concert, call 609- 448-5614.