With classical and contemporary artists, the Oct. 28-31 Madness and Music Festival commemorates the 200th anniversary of the German composer Robert Schumann's birth while at the same time exploring a link between his music and mental illness.

The festival, the biggest collaboration ever between the Department of Music and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, comprises six concerts (one of them free) and three lecture-discussions, with UC Davis faculty, musicians and composers among the presenters.

Schumann wrote numerous works for piano and orchestra, and influenced many other composers, most notably his protégé Johannes Brahms.

But Schumann struggled with hallucinations, constantly imagining voices and hearing angelic music, which ultimately led to his time at a mental institution, where he spent the last two years of his life.

The festival program draws on contemporary works to reflect current notions regarding madness, and investigates how art operates as a haven, a refuge, an escape, a statement of joy, and a means for survival.

NOON CONCERT: Eric Zivian on piano and Hrabba Atladottir on violin. Free. Oct. 28, Rumsey Rancheria Grand Lobby.

• György Kurtág: Tre Pezzi for Violin and Piano
• John Cage: Six Melodies for Violin and Keyboard
• Schumann: Geistervariationen for Solo Piano
• Ramteen Sazegari (Festival Composition Fellow): Glitch for Solo Piano
• Lee Hyla (composer in residence): Third Party for Solo Piano

PANEL DISCUSSION: With Jessie Ann Owens, professor of music and dean of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; music professor Chris Reynolds and psychology professor Dean Simonton, plus Mitchell Morris, chair of vocal studies at UCLA. Moderated by music professor Anna Maria Busse Berger. An in-depth discussion regarding the concept of madness in the 1800s and today, how the Romantic ideal of the creative mind was compatible in many ways with mental Free. 1:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC: MIXED MEDIA CONCERT: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Alvin Lucier: Silver Streetcar of the Orchestra for Amplified Triangle
• David Tudor: Rainforest IV

LECTURE AND DISCUSSION: Before the Empyrean Ensemble concert. Mika Pelo, assistant professor of music, moderates this program with the Festival Composition Fellows. 6 p.m., Rumsey Rancheria Grand Lobby.

EMPYREAN ENSEMBLE: UC Davis' ensemble in residence. 7 p.m. Oct. 29, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• György Kurtág: Hommage à Robert Schumann for Clarinet, Violin and Piano
• Schumann: Märchenerzählungen for Clarinet, Viola and Piano
• Melinda Wagner: Scritch for Oboe and String Quartet
• Lee Hyla: Ciao, Manhattan for Flute, Viola, Cello and Piano
• Moon Young Ha (Festival Composition Fellow): The Island for Clarinet, Violin and Cello
• Eun Yun Lee (Festival Composition Fellow): Nok-du-kkot for Solo Viola, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano and Percussion

LECTURE AND DISCUSSION: Before the Alarm Will Sound concert. Composer-in-Residence Lee Hyla discusses his Pre-Pulse Suspended and the psychological aspects of his compositional process. 7 p.m. Oct. 30, Jackson Hall.

ALARM WILL SOUND: 20-member ensemble. 8 p.m. Oct. 30, Jackson Hall.

• Aphex Twin, arr. Stefan Freund: Cock ver 10
• Salvatore Sciarrino: Introduzione all'oscuro
• Hyla: Pre-Pulse Suspended
• Sir Harrison Birtwistle: Carmen Arcadiae Mechanicae Perpetuum
• John Orfe: Dowland Remix (Flow my Tears)

ERIC ZIVIAN — Pianist. 10:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Zivian: Fantasy
• Christian Baldini: Colori notturni
• Baldini: Mercurial
• Schumann: Fantasy, op. 17

UC DAVIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 7 p.m. Oct. 31, Jackson Hall.

• Silvestre Revueltas: Sensemayá
• Pablo Ortiz: Four Hardy Songs for Soprano and Orchestra, with Sara Gartland, soprano
• Jean Ahn (Festival Composition Fellow): Lu-lu, Lu-lu (premiere)
• Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, with Susan Lamb Cook, cello

 The Oct. 28 Noon Concert and panel discussion are free. Tickets required for all other events.  Tickets and more information. Or call (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787.

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