Intermezzo on KRWG

Classical pianist and composer Jeffrey Biegel was one of the students of the famed Juilliard School piano professor, Adele Marcus, as was songwriter and pop/rock star Neil Sedaka, before he went into the pop world. In this interview with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin, Jeffrey Biegel -- who was in Las Cruces for a performance with the Las Cruces Symphony -- talked about his recent collaborations with Neil Sedaka, the lasting influence of their teacher Adele Marcus, and his experience of being deaf until the age of three. Lonnie Klein joins in at the end to talk about the concerts they were about to perform.

Two horn players -- professor Nancy Joy of NMSU, and Victor Valenzuela, third horn player for the Tucson Symphony and an NMSU graduate -- came to the KRWG studios to talk about their love of music, playing the horn, and their collaboration on a concert to honor Dr. Warner Hutchison, professor emeritus and former composer-in-residence here. The concert brought together Prof. Joy's "Corno Crew" -- her affectionate name for the horn choir she leads on campus -- and horn players from all around the area. They spoke with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin.

The Good Time Singers, under the direction of Diane Schutz, will take audiences back in time this week with two concerts dedicated to the music of the 1940s, and presented in the style of the famous USO variety shows that were performed -- and are still being performed -- for troops overseas. Diane Schutz came over to the KRWG studios to talk with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin about the concerts.

When they were 9 and 10, respectively, guitarists Meng Su and Yameng Wang traveled every week from their homes in Quindao, China to Beijing -- a train ride of 16 hours each way -- to study with the renowned guitar professor Chen Zhi. They both went on to win numerous awards and competitions, and at the urging of their current teacher, renowned Cuban guitar virtuoso Manuel Barrueco, they formed the Beijing Guitar Duo. During a visit to Las Cruces, they came by the KRWG studios to talk with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin.

The practice of posting music performances on the internet led to a world premiere for Clarinetes Del Sol, a relatively new clarinet ensemble in Las Cruces. When their first performance was posted on-line, a composer got in touch with founder and director David Garnand, and composed a version of Amazing Grace, which the group premiered in concert here in Las Cruces. Garnand spoke with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin about the ensemble and the music they play.

Commissions for new music have been lining up for Justin Raines, who graduated from NMSU in 2007 and is now a professional composer living in Redondo Beach, CA. In anticipation of a concert at NMSU featuring two of his works, Justin came by to talk with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin about the music he's been composing and his biggest influences.

Dr. William Clark's family played music every Sunday afternoon when he was growing up, and he has been dedicated to making music ever since. The long-time conductor and founder of the Mesilla Valley Concert Band talked with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin about the strongest influences in his life, how to handle nerves, and some of the composers who will be featured on the MVCB's next concert, on March 25.

Conductor Shawn Robinson loves the colors, textures, and excitement of Russian music, particularly that of the so-called "Mighty Handful," a group of 19th-century Russian composers. Robinson, who leads the New Horizons Symphony Orchestra at NMSU, came by KRWG to talk with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin about the Russian music that he chose for their February concert, and how he came to conduct the long-standing community orchestra.

Revenge, farce, hidden identities, love and jealousy all come into play in the delightful operetta "Die Fledermaus" ("The Bat"), by Johann Strauss, Jr., which is being staged by the Dona Ana Lyric Opera this weekend. Director (and NMSU graduate) Ian Sidden said his biggest challenge in developing the production was "letting go" -- so that his talented team could bring their creative ideas to fruition. He spoke with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin just hours before the opening night performance.

Guitarist and composer Johannes Moller has played hundreds of concerts around the world since his first appearance at age 13, but his career got a big boost when he won the 2010 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. That award brought him on a tour of 65 concerts, including Las Cruces, where he met with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin to talk about his own compositions, his teachers, and the inspiration he has found in the Paraguayan guitarist and composer Agustin Barrios Mangore.

Las Cruces – Mezzo-soprano Kirstin Chavez has thrilled audiences the world over with her operatic performances. This year, she is the artist-in-residence at NMSU's music department, joining the choirs several times in concert, as well as sharing her expertise and knowledge with students and faculty. She joined NMSU music professor Dr. Martha Rowe and Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin in a conversation about her background, which singers have inspired her, what roles she loves to play, and more.