UMF hosts world premiere performance of 'Rivers of Maine'

World-renowned violinist

to perform piece by acclaimed
composer Stuart Saunders

FARMINGTON — The UMF Emery Community Arts Center will present the world premiere performance of acclaimed American composer and percussionist Stuart Saunders Smith’s new musical composition “The Rivers of Maine.” World-renowned violinist Airi Yoshioka will perform Smith’s creative piece at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 14, in the Emery performance space. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Rivers of Maine (2015) paints a picture of the emotional resonance and love of place,” said Smith. “The rivers of Maine are powerful and lyrical, a poetry of infinity endings, and beginnings of the deep ocean. The rivers of Maine support the life forms of Maine. My violin solo is a song, which channels the rivers into melodies of longing.”

A renowned American composer, editor and poet, Smith has created a diverse and unusual body of musical and literary compositions. His music is impressive in both the breadth of its scope and the richness of its diversification. His music is performed and recorded regularly on an international basis. He was born in Portland. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Illinois.

Deeply committed to chamber music, Yoshioka is the founding member of the Damocles Trio and Modigliani Quartet. Her orchestral credits include performances with the American Sinfonietta and engagements as concertmaster and soloist with the Manhattan Virtuosi and concertmaster of one of the festival orchestras at the Aspen Music Festival. An enthusiastic performer of new music, she was one of the original members and concertmasters of the New Juilliard Ensemble.