PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2010)– The SUNY Plattsburgh Department of Music begins its fall concert season with a lecture/performance by pianist Dr. Karen Becker featuring the work of Ludwig van Beethoven at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in Krinovitz Recital Hall, Hawkins Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. 

In the first of a new, three-part series called “Beethoven Fridays,”  Becker will discuss and perform Piano Sonata No.7 in D major, Opus 10 No. 3,  in a program called “Life After Haydn: The Early Sonatas.”

On Oct. 15, Becker will present “Transitioning to New Forms,” Piano Sonata No. 26 in Eb major, Op. 81a (Les Adieux), and on Nov. 12, the series will conclude with “Steps to Heaven,” Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Opus 111.

In the spring of 2010, Becker returned to the University of Wisconsin to study the Beethoven cycle of 32 sonatas with her former teacher, Christopher Taylor, under the auspices of the Nuala McGann Drescher sabbatical leave.

The Department of Music fall 2010/spring 2011 concert schedule can be found online at www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/music/calendar.php. For information on upcoming events, call the department’s Performing Arts Information Line at 518-564-2283, or call 518-564-2243 to get on the mailing list.