Gerald Elias wears many hats. Besides being one of the two associate concertmasters of the Utah Symphony, Elias teaches at the University of Utah and composes.
On Tuesday, Elias will wear two of those hats when he'll play one of his most recent works in a recital in Dumke Recital Hall in David Gardner Hall. Local pianist Marjorie Janove will accompany.
Elias has had several works performed locally. Most recently, the Utah Symphony Chamber Orchestra, under music director Keith Lockhart, premiered his Concerto Grosso in B flat, with Elias as soloist.
At his recital Tuesday, Elias will once again play that piece, this time in an arrangement for violin and piano. The work is in four movements and a definite throwback to the baroque in terms of style and structure.
Finding the time for everything he does can prove challenging, Elias admitted. "I was preoccupied with the concerto last year, so there was no time for me to do a recital."
For a number of years, Elias has been involved with the Seeds of Peace organization, which brings young Palestinians and Israelis together in a summer-camp setting in Maine. Every year, Elias has donated his time and talent in organizing and performing a fund-raising recital in support of the not-for-profit organization.
Except for an occasional appearance at other musicians' concerts, Tuesday's recital will be Elias' first in Salt Lake City in nearly two years. And he's been looking forward to it for some time now. "I enjoy doing recitals. It's the freest type of performance there is. It's more like having a conversation with the audience. It's a one-way conversation, but there is a greater personal communication with the audience than when you're playing quartets or soloing with an orchestra."
Elias admitted that the program he chose for his recital is somewhat eclectic. "I try to do things that have variety but are integrated structurally. And I'm also selfish. I like to play things that I enjoy."
Elias will open the recital with Mozart's Violin Sonata in F major, K. 377. "I've never performed it before, and I never even heard it until one of my students worked on it. The slow movement is an incredible set of variations in D minor reminiscent of the D minor Piano Concerto."
The Mozart will be paired with David Crumb's touching and emotionally charged "September Elegy" in the recital's first half. The piece is Crumb's response to 9/11.
The second half includes Elias' piano and violin transcription of Faure's ever popular "Pavane" and Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances. Elias' concerto will close out the recital.
Janove will also play three selections from Brahms' op. 118 set of piano pieces.
Elias and Janove have collaborated frequently over the years. "I've worked with her for a number of years. She is a terrific pianist. She has an amazing sense of flexibility. Working with her is great not just because of her musical talent, but she is one of those rare musicians who loves to rehearse, and she'll rehearse as much as needed."
Earlier this month, Elias played the same program at a recital at BYU-Idaho, and in February he'll perform it in Nephi. "It gives the program some nice exposure. Normally you just play a recital program once. This will be nice."
If you go . . .
What: Violinist Gerald Elias, pianist Marjorie Janove
Where: Dumke Recital Hall, Gardner Hall, University of Utah
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: Free
Also: Juab Arts Auditorium, Nephi, March 19, 7 p.m., $8 (435-623-0253)
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com