Pianist accents the contemporary

Pianist Anthony de Mare, M.F.A. '83, is devoted to modern music and performances that intrigue and delight the listener.

Preparing for his appearance in the Sesquicentennial Alumni Concert October 3, de Mare reflects on his studies at UB, especially with the late faculty pianist Yvar Mikhashoff. On the program is "Adios Nonino" by Astor Piazzolla, "an Argentine-style tango played in Yvar's memory, very poignant and dramatic, much like my great friend and mentor.

"Yvar provided a wonderful guideline for the start of my career," de Mare says. "He took me through the whole gamut of contemporary music in the two years I studied with him, and also helped me learn about the business of music. He arranged for me to do programs, with commentary, for WBFO. This was terrific training and also groomed me for the competitions I did in Europe."

De Mare, now based in New York City, has premiered, recorded and had works written for him by such major figures as Meredith Monk, Frederic Rzewski and Christian Wolff. Since making his New York debut at the 92nd Street Y and his Washington debut at the Kennedy Center, de Mare has performed with leading orchestras around the U.S., recorded with the BBC and participated in a tribute to John Cage at the Guggenheim Museum.

"A mission of my work is to give listeners an all-around retrospective of what's going on in the century-in all areas-and then establish connections to the music of the past." Now on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music, de Mare favors programs that are thematically linked, often mixing standard repertoire with the contemporary to stimulate and challenge his audiences.

In 1997, he will concertize in five Dutch cities, and has been invited to perform at the Zagreb Biennale and the Bergen Festival in Norway.