UC Davis’ professional musical ensemble in residence, the Empyrean Ensemble, announced 21 premieres for its 21st season, continuing a tradition of presenting the finest new works and 20th-century classics, energizing listeners with engaging, thought-provoking, eclectic performances.

The season is scheduled to begin Nov. 16 with the annual Fault Lines concert, featuring California composers. This year, they include two Bay Area composers who have worked to mentor the contemporary music community: Olly Wilson, a UC Berkeley professor emeritus and member of the Academy of Arts and Letters; and Wayne Peterson, a San Francisco State University professor emeritus and 1992 Pulitzer Prize winner in music.

The program also includes works by Bruce Bennett, Beth Custer and Gloria Justen, all from the Bay Area.

Empyrean is juxtaposing the Californians with Igor Stravinsky and his seldom heard Elégie for solo viola.

The program:

• Olly Wilson—Trio for violin, cello and piano

• Bruce Bennett—Three Epigrams for violin and piano

• Beth Custer—Scary Monster for string trio

• Wayne Peterson—Peregrinations for solo clarinet

• Gloria Justen—Naïve Little Pieces for solo violin

• Igor Stravinsky—Elégie for solo viola

The Fault Lines concert is set for 7 p.m. in the Studio Theatre at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Music department lecturer Sam Nichols is scheduled to deliver a preconcert talk, “Demystifying the Music,” at 6 p.m.

This season's other Empyrean Ensemble concert dates at UC Davis:

• Jan 25—Americana: American Themes in Music and Film. 7 p.m., Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center.

• March 15—Hot Off the Press: All New Works by American Composers. 7 p.m., Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center.

• April 30—Noon Concert: Empyrean members join UC Davis student performers. Free. 12:05 p.m., 115 Music Building.

• June 1—New Music from Davis: All New Works by UC Davis Graduate Composers. 7 p.m., Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center.

Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org

THE PLAYERS

The 2008-09 core players: Hrabba Atladottir, violin; Tod Brody, flute; Chris Froh, percussion; Peter Josheff, clarinet; Thalia Moore, cello; Ellen Ruth Rose, viola; and Karen Rosenak, piano. Atladottir is new this year; she has worked with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Metropolitan Opera, the New Jersey Symphony, Ensemble Sospeso, Either/Or, and toured with Nigel Kennedy and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Directors: Kurt Rohde, Laurie San Martin and Mika Pelo, all from the music department faculty.

More information: music.ucdavis.edu/empyrean