All are invited to join the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center online as they premiere “The Art of Recital,” featuring violinist Aubrey Holmes and pianist Stefanie Watson. The duo has been collaborating for the past seven months to create a one-of-a-kind performance exclusively for the museum, which is free for all and will be streamed on the museum’s YouTube channel at 8 p.m. this Friday.
Holmes has performed with symphony orchestras across New England and the United States. He debuted in 2019 at Carnegie Hall with the Heimat Quartet, and, most recently, he was a member at the faculty at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va. He holds numerous degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College, a Master of Music from The Boston Conservatory, a Master of Music (string quartet) from Kent State University and an artist diploma from Montclair State University.
Watson is a recital collaborator, educator, choral pianist and church musician who has served as a rehearsal pianist for the Princeton Festival opera productions. She holds a Master of Collaborative Piano from Rutgers University. She also participates as a pianist in instrumental ensembles, including the Garden State Philharmonic, Adelphi Orchestra and the Eastern Wind Symphony.
Museum Manager Matthew Hileman told The Era that virtual performing has allowed the museum to experiment with the visual medium.
“This recital combines wonderful music for violin and piano along with artworks related to the time period and background of each composer,” he said.
Hileman, who has a background in paintings, particularly 19th-century paintings, said he really enjoyed the chance to curate a visual exhibition set to music.
The recital will premiere this Friday, though the artists have given the museum permission to make it available indefinitely.
“This way, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy it as many times as they want, “said Hileman.
For those interested, a trailer for the event is currently available to view on the museum’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page prior to the event.
