AMERICANA: AMERICAN THEMES IN MUSIC AND FILM

WHAT: Empyrean Ensemble

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 25

WHERE: Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

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

PROGRAM:

Ramona (2008), with silent film, for violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, piano and percussion, by Pablo Ortiz (see separate story on the Ramona project). World premiere, commissioned by the Empyrean Ensemble.

Buffing the Gut (1995), for solo cello, by Benjamin Boone.

Dasal (2008), for clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano, by Robin Estrada. A Department of Music news release describes the Filipino composer's work as a musical image of prayer at dawn—and notes that "dasal" is the Tagalog word for prayer. Estrada is composer in residence with the Ateneo Chamber Singers and the San Francisco Choral Artists. World premiere, commissioned by the Empyrean Ensemble.

California Dreamin' (2008), for cello, piano and percussion, by Derek Keller. Using music, speech and movement, California Dreamin' alludes to California racism in the latter half of the 19th century. A music department spokeswoman said Keller composed the piece as an exploration of themes for his forthcoming opera based on a late 19th-century short story, "The Haunted Valley," by journalist and author Ambrose Bierce. World premiere, commissioned by the Empyrean Ensemble.

TRIO (2007), for clarinet, piano and percussion, by Aaron Travers. World premiere.

Largo (1934), for clarinet, violin and piano, by Charles Ives.

Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean (a patriotic song popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries), Pablo Ortiz arrangement.

REPEAT PERFORMANCE:

7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, California State University, Fresno. More information is available by calling the CSU Fresno concert information line: (559) 278-5829.