The program will begin with “something new” — McDowall’s “Four Piano Solos,” which was inspired by memories of places and people, according to Antonacos.

“The solos are full of fascinating colors and textures,” the pianist said recently.“McDowall’s music really speaks to me, whether it is driving bass rhythms or meditative high-passage colors.”

Antonacos will then journey back to “something old,” with “Auf dem Wasser zu singen,” a Lizst transcription of a Schubert piece for piano alone. Antonacos noted that the pianist is responsible not only for the original piano part, but also for the vocal line, adding that “it’s a very beautiful song about time and life and how fleeting it is.”

Next will be two more Lizst pieces, which introduce a theme of water to the concert. “Les jeux d’eau a la villa d’Este” was written later in the composer’s life while he was sitting and enjoying the fountains at Villa d’Este in Italy; “Legende No. 2: St. Francois de Paule marchant sur les flots,” which translates to “St. Francis Walking on the Waves,” is based on St. Francis of Paola, who was believed to have walked on water.

Following intermission, Antonacos will perform Janá?ek’s “Sonata 1.X.1905.” The USM artist faculty member described the piece as being darker, with only two movements, because Janacek reportedly threw the third movement into a river.

Antonacos will then perform movements from Rautavaara’s “Icons” which are each based on Byzantine icons. The closing of the concert will bring the audience back to the present, with McDowall’s “Colour Is the Keyboard,” which is based on a Kandinsky painting.

Antonacos lives with her husband and daughter in Portland, where she was named one of the “100 Most Influential People of Portland” by the Portland Phoenix.

For more information, visit http://usm.maine.edu/music.