Former University at Buffalo faculty member and conductor of the Slee Sinfonietta, Magnus Martensson, returns to UB for an evening of piano music and comedy on Friday Friday, February 22, 2008. The concert will take place at Baird Hall on the University of Buffalo North Campus in Amherst, N.Y. at 8:00 p.m.
Martensson’s unique blend of music and comedy was born several years ago at a concert in New York City, in front of an audience that included members of late Victor Borge’s family. In his comedy show, Martensson finds a balance between humor and performances of piano music by such composers as Philip Glass, Erik Satie, Olivier Messiaen and Edvard Grieg.
Last March, Martensson returned to Buffalo and performed in UB’s Baird Hall in front of a capacity audience. Since then, he has appeared in cities around the country, including Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago and Washington DC. Martensson continues to be active as a conductor and has recently directed ensembles at the legendary Monday Evening Concert Series in Los Angeles and the Manhattan School of Music. In the 2006 Magnus Martensson and Friends concert series in New York City, he collaborated with composer/pianist Nils Vigeland and violinist Judith Ingolfsson performing music by Buffalo composers Leo Smit and Vigeland, and Icelandic composer Hallgrimsson , among others. Currently, throughout the month of January, he is on tour in his native Sweden giving piano recitals.
Martensson is the author of the book “Thoughts, Verse and Further Nonsense.” His CD, “The Interview and Scandinavian Piano Favorites,” was released last year.
TICKETS: General Admission $10. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance by calling (716) 432-1528 or by emailing cewicks@hotmail.com.
