Meadow Brook Music Society's ready to launch its inaugural season

Nelita True

Opening the season on Sunday, Nov. 14, will be “A Musical Journey Featuring Nelita True.” The concert will welcome America’s most celebrated piano pedagogue, who presently serves as a professor of piano at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. True will perform an array of piano solo collections from Italy, France and Latin America. 

Regina Carter

Oakland University alumna Regina Carter and the Oakland Jazz Quartet will perform “A Tribute to Ahmad Jamal” on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011. The renowned jazz violinist and the Oakland Jazz Quartet will play two sets of music dedicated to American Jazz legend Ahmad Jamal, whose charismatic style influenced great musicians such as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett. The reception for both concerts begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. performance.

Messiaen Quartet

Oakland University faculty artists Elisabeth Rowin, George Stoffan, Joan Hovda and Yin Zheng will conclude the series on Thursday April 7, 2011. They will perform “Quartet for the End of Time,” composed by Frenchman Olivier Messiaen. This piece was first performed in freezing temperatures and squalid conditions at a German prison camp in 1941. Twentieth century music scholar Jessica Payette will present a brief talk about the piece prior to the performance. The evening begins with a 7:30 p.m. reception, followed by an 8 p.m. performance.

The ballroom at Meadow Brook Hall

Tickets are $55 for a single performance or $150 for the series of three concerts. Included in the ticket price is a reception and a wine and cheese afterglow. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Revenue from ticket sales will support both the preservation of Meadow Brook Hall and a scholarship fund for Oakland University music students.

For reservations or more information about the Meadow Brook Music Society, please call (248) 364-6263 or visit meadowbrookhall.org.