Maureen Walsh

On The Program: Histoire du Tango by Astor Piazzolla Seven Spanish Songs by Manuel de Falla Havanaise by Camille Saint-Saëns* Set Cançons Valencianas by Joaquín Rodrigo* Airs Espagnols by Pablo de Sarasate* (*Original arrangements by Maureen Walsh) Come spend the night immersed in the beauty of Spanish music! We begin with the sultry, passionate music of Piazzolla in Histoire du Tango. While originally for flute and guitar. it is a favorite piece for saxophone quartets and will be played here in this arrangement for soprano saxophone and piano. Next we hear sweet Spanish lullabies originally for soprano voice and piano by Manuel de Falla. Finishing the first half is Havanaise by Saint-Saëns, capturing the warm, bustling spirit of Havana. Originally for violin and orchestra tonight will be a world premier of its arrangement for alto saxophone and piano. On the second half we introduce a lesser known piece by Joaquín Rodrigo, Seven Songs from Valencia. Originally for violin and piano, these offer a more mysterious and melancholy tone. The first five movements will be performed for the first time on the alto sax. In a thrilling finale we will present the arrangement of the violin concerto Airs Espagnols by Pablo de Sarasate. This soaring pieces dances and sings on the saxophone, played in this form for the first time tonight! About the Musicians: The Washington Post has described Maureen Walsh as bringing “consummate skill and interpretative sensitivity to the Schmitt, capturing every ounce of its dusky innuendos and mystical exoticism” after a performance with the National Symphony Orchestra. Her greatest passion is bringing more awareness to the powerful beauty of the classical saxophone by creating her own new arrangements which push the boundaries of saxophone technique. She is excited to present tonight's program in Northern Virginia, D.C. Bethesda, Baltimore and as far as Alaska. Accompanying Ms. Walsh is the internationally renowned pianist Thomas Pandolfi. A Steinway recording artist and Juilliard graduate, Mr. Pandolfi is an active soloist and recitalist in the D.C. area and abroad, as well as maintaining a teaching studio.