The Lyrique Quintette, the University of Arkansas's faculty woodwind ensemble, is hard at work on producing its first recording in more than a decade. Ahead of the May recording sessions they present a free concert Thursday, April 13, at the new performing arts venue Stage 18, just off the Fayetteville Square.
Members Timothy Thompson, French horn, and Lia Uribe, bassoon, discuss the wide range of pieces the ensemble is working on for the forthcoming project, with pieces ranging from modern reinterpretations of medieval tunes to Latin American jazz with Of Note's Katy Henriksen.
"We made it clear very early on that we trying to do new works," said Thompson, and in pursuit of this, the Quintette commissioned two entirely new pieces, one by the Grammy-nominated Miguel de Aguila that was 20 years in the making, and another by the University's orchestra director and resident composer Robert Mueller.
The Quintette are excited to perform at a show completely free and open to the public at the nascent Stage 18 venue, which will be offering a special cocktail in the Quintette's honor.
"Our music fits the space very well because we have a varied repertoire," said Uribe, and the Quintette hopes that the synergy of Fayetteville's creative elements will be a very popular one.
