LIVE AT THE MOORE COMMUNITY CENTER
125 STATE ST. ELLSWORTH
OCT 9. 1-2 PM. FREE
Phillip Silver, piano, Noreen Silver, cello, Eric Thomas, clarinet
Phillip Silver is an internationally acclaimed soloist, collaborative artist and researcher. For over two decades Phillip has carried out research on music and musicians caught up in the Holocaust. He has presented his research in the form of commercial recordings, lectures and recitals on both national and international stages including venues in Israel, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.
His most recent recordings for the Toccata Classics label in London include a world premiere recording of music by Leone Sinigaglia, an Italian-Jewish victim of the Nazis, and a recording of music by German-Jewish composer Bernhard Sekles. Steve Arloff writing in MusicWeb International described it as “a really valuable discovery” marked by “flawless playing.”... “thoroughly deserving to be heard by every chamber music lover.”
Phillip also promotes the music of Israeli composers and through performance and lecture actively works to bring this music before a wider international public.
Phillip Silver has been on the faculties of Glasgow University, Strathclyde University, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland. He is currently a Professor of Music at the School of Performing Arts at the University of Maine, Orono.
Cellist Noreen Silver was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. She studied at the Royal College of Music in London, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. She was fortunate to pursue independent study with the great cellists Jacqueline du Pré and Pierre Fournier.
The Glasgow Herald has described her as “an extraordinarily soulful player” who “demonstrates an uncommon depth of feeling and imagination.”
Since 1999 Noreen has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine, where she directs the Chamber Music program, and teaches cello and music theory. She also holds the position of Principal Cellist in the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared as soloist with the orchestra on numerous occasions.
Along with her husband, pianist Phillip Silver, Noreen has performed much of the cello/piano repertoire in the USA, Europe, Israel and the UK. Much in demand as a teacher, she has also served on the faculties of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Strathclyde University, and Ellsworth Community Music Institute.
Clarinetist Eric Thomas is a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music where he completed major studies with Peter Hadcock. Mr. Thomas is a recipient of the Concert Artist Guild Award and has appeared as a guest artist with several groups including the Apple Hill Chamber Players, the Moab Music Festival, the Sylvan Winds, the Boston Pops, the Bravo Festival at Vail, and the Cabrillo Contemporary Music Festival.
Robert Koff (violinist with the original Juilliard String Quartet) has said "It is a rare opportunity to meet a virtuoso musician who is as articulate about his art as he is with his art. Anyone who is serious about music should engage in conversation with Eric” Gene Pack (Classical music expert NPR affiliate KUER) has said “Eric Thomas is the world’s finest clarinetist.” The Los Angeles Times wrote “[he] drew a pallet of musical color from [his] instrument.” And the New York Times “ talent multiplied, a superb musician, an important addition to the musical scene” While Downbeat Magazine “[a] remarkably clean and inventive improvisor stretching [jazz] tradition while adding to its language” and the Boston Globe “he shines as a wizard at subtle, super-quiet playing.”