NATCHITOCHES – Cellist Paul Christopher will present a faculty recital at Northwestern State University on Monday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. He will be assisted by dancer and choreographer Brett Alan Garfinkel. Admission is free and open to the public. A livestream will be available at https://www.nsula.edu/livestream/.
Christopher and Garfinkel will collaborate on “Yakamochi” by Alan Hovhaness, who was one of the most prolific 20th-century composers. Christopher said Hovhaness’ official catalog comprised 67 numbered symphonies (surviving manuscripts indicate over 70) and 434 opus numbers. The true tally is well over 500 surviving works, since many opus numbers comprise two or more distinct works.
“The title ‘Yakamochi’ can be translated as ‘Suite in praise of a poet.’ It is harmonically modal, and I always thought it would lend itself well to movement,” said Christopher.
The recital will also include works by Vera Ivanova and Philip Glass.
Christopher received his Bachelor of Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Memphis.
In the summers, he served as assistant principal cello with the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. Christopher has performed guest artist recitals in Arkansas, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panamá, and South Korea. He has presented and performed at conferences in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Christopher’s articles have been published in the Jacques Offenbach Society Newsletter, Strings, American String Teacher and Bass World. He has appeared on numerous recordings as a member of the Nashville String Machine with artists such as Faith Hill, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Springsteen and George Strait. He has also recorded works by contemporary composers as well as seven CDs for the Human Metronome label devoted to the cello music of Jacques Offenbach.
Garfinkel is from Long Island, New York. He received a BFA in Dance from Adelphi University and an MFA in Dance Performance & Teaching from Purchase College, SUNY. Brett is a certified GYROTONIC® & GYROKINESIS® trainer. He has performed with numerous companies in and around NYC. Brett was a member of BODYART Dance Company for six years and continues to work with them in production. He has also performed and toured with Lucinda Childs Dance Company, Vissi Dance Theater, Flexicurve, Hydroflo, Naganuma Dance, Genesis Dance Company and Mary Seidman & Dancers. Garfinkel is chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance and a professor of dance at Northwestern State.