Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Alazan Trio, comprised of Stephen F. Austin State University music faculty members Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Evgeni Raychev, cello; and Ron Petti, piano; will present a concert of American piano trios at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in Cole Concert Hall.

Included on the program is the world premiere of "The Beginning of Things" by Steven Hickens, a piece the trio commissioned for this concert.

"'The Beginning of Things' has as its controlling image the idea of change within stasis--that even inside of something that appears not to be stable and solid, things are going on underneath that cast a different light on the apparent surface calm," said Hickens. "The title comes from a passage in Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening.'"

The Alazan Trio will also perform Leonard Bernstein's "Piano Trio."

"It is charming piece, written when Bernstein was only 19," said Dalmas, assistant professor of music. "In the second movement, especially, you can hear foreshadowing of his popular musical 'West Side Story' in the jazzy chords and rhythms."

The program also includes works by Ned Rorem and Robert Muczynski.

Members of The Alazan Trio have been playing together for a couple of years.

"But we've only recently begun calling ourselves 'The Alazan Trio,' a name taken from the small community east of Nacogdoches in which we all live," explained Dalmas.

All three musicians received their doctoral degrees from Florida State University. Petti joined the SFA faculty in 1999, and Dalmas and Raychev in 2003.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets, please call (9360 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.