Pealer Recital Hall, PAC

Frostburg State University Presents Faculty Artist Series: Dr. Mark Gallagher, Dr. Brent Weber, and Dr. Jay DeWire in Concert

The FSU Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance proudly presents an evening of chamber music as part of its Faculty Artist Series, featuring Dr. Mark Gallagher on clarinet, Dr. Brent Weber on bassoon, and Dr. Jay DeWire on piano. The performance will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of the Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. Admission is free and open to the public; it will also be llivestreamed, click the red 'Join Stream' button on this page to view the live performance.

This captivating program showcases three works that blend classical elegance with early romantic fervor, highlighting the virtuosity and interpretive depth of the performers. Opening the program is “Trio for Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano in E-flat Major” by Archduke Rudolf. A student and patron of Beethoven, Rudolf crafted this trio with a style reminiscent of early Beethoven, infused with echoes of Mozart’s grace. Composed for clarinetist Count Ferdinand von Troyer, the work’s three completed movements—Allegro moderato, Scherzo, and Larghetto with Variations—offer a balanced interplay among the instruments, showcasing the clarinet while giving the bassoon and piano substantial roles.

Next up is “Märchenbilder, Op. 113, and Five Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 127” by Robert Schumann, arranged for clarinet and piano by Dr. Mark Gallagher. Schumann’s “Märchenbilder” (Fairy Tale Pictures) comprises four evocative character studies, with Dr. Gallagher’s arrangement combining the moody, nostalgic first movement and the tender, reflective fourth movement with the expressive “Five Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 127.” This unique arrangement highlights Schumann’s emotional depth, with the clarinet and piano weaving a rich tapestry of shifting moods, from melancholy to serene reverie, reflecting the poetic and fantastic essence of Schumann’s music.

The program will conclude with “Grand Trio for Clarinet, Bassoon, and Piano, Op. 36” by Anton Eberl. A contemporary of Mozart, Eberl was a prolific composer whose works were often mistaken for Mozart’s due to their melodic beauty and classical refinement. This late work, composed in 1806, blends classical structure with early romantic stirrings. Its four movements—Allegro con spirito, Adagio non troppo, Scherzo, and Allegretto—feature graceful melodies and innovative writing, particularly for the bassoon, showcasing Eberl’s skill and the trio’s dynamic interplay.

This concert promises an evening of musical discovery, bringing together rarely performed gems by composers whose connections to Beethoven and Mozart enrich their works with historical and artistic significance. Dr. Gallagher, Dr. Weber, and Dr. DeWire, esteemed faculty members of Frostburg State University, bring their expertise and passion to this thoughtfully curated program.

For more information, contact the FSU Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (301) 687-4109, music@frostburg.edu, or visit http://www.frostburg.edu/concerts. Join us in person or online for an unforgettable evening of chamber music.

Dr. Mark Gallagher (clarinet) website: http://www.markgallagher.net/

Dr. Jay DeWire (piano) bio: https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/music/faculty.php#DeWire

Dr. Brent Weber (bassoon) bio: https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/music/faculty.php#Weber

Music, Performance, Recital