Ptaszynska and Suzuki are two of the University’s prized music faculty. Both have international reputations and their works have been commissioned and performed by leading musical talents at festivals throughout the world. Trained as a percussionist, Ptaszynska’s career spans almost 40 years during which she has written a complete spectrum of work both in terms of style and instrumentation. She has received numerous awards including First Prize from UNESCO in Paris at the International Rostrum of Composers for her string orchestra piece, Winter’s Tale (1985). Suzuki composes for both instrumental and electro-acoustics as well as for dance and film, with a keen interest in combining visual elements and sound. She has been increasingly engaged in producing collaborative audio-visual works. Her honors include a DAAD residency in Berlin (2001-2002), first prize at the 30th Bourges International Electroacoustic Music and Sonic Art Competition in multimedia category (IMEB) (France), and Musica Nova International Electroacoustic Music Competition Honor Prize (Czech). Their compositions will be performed by Pinotage, an ensemble formed in 1998 that includes mezzo soprano Julia Bentley, harpist Alison Attar, and guest flutists Molly Barth and Mary Stolper. This concert will take place in the gallery.
