Westport Public Library MOVIE & MUSIC Blog

The sounds of classical music are heard throughout the WestportREADS 2007 book The Soloist since the main character and his student are accomplished cellists. In keeping with the tone and tenor of the book, the Library proudly presents a concert featuring cellist Eliot T. Bailen and flutist Susan Rotholz.

Eliot Bailen is the principal cello and associate director of the New York Chamber Ensemble, co-principal cello and soloist with Orchestra New England, and assistant-principal cello of the Stamford Symphony. Additionally, he acts as the principal chair of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, Teatro Grattacielo Orchestra, Garrett Lakes Arts Festival Orchestra, and New Choral Society. Mr. Bailen, an avid chamber music player, is the Founder and Artistic director of the critically acclaimed Sherman Chamber Ensemble in Sherman, CT, a member of the "Modern Works" cello quartet in New York City and a regular guest artist with the Saratoga Chamber Players and the Sebago-Long Lake Chamber Music Festival. Like our protagonist, he teaches cello and chamber music at Columbia University and has served on the faculties of S.U.N.Y.-Purchase and the 92nd Street YMHA in New York City.

In 1981, flutist Susan Rotholz made her New York debut as a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Award and has appeared as soloist with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Ensemble, New England Bach Festival, Greenwich Symphony, Cape May Festival Orchestra, Gotham City Orchestra, Brandenberg Ensemble, Jupiter Symphony, Solisti New York, Westmoreland Symphony, Bay Atlantic Symphony and the New York String Orchestra. Ms. Rotholz has been principal flutist of the New England Bach Festival, the New York Chamber Ensemble, and the Greenwich Symphony and has served as principal flute with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Symphony, American Ballet Theater, the Orchestra of St. Luke's and the Stamford Symphony. Her recent accomplishments include the PBS broadcast performance of Steven Sondheim's Passions for Live from Lincoln Center and the 2006 Encore! performances at New York's City Center.

Before attending this performance, be sure to whet your appetite with musical selections from the Library's collection. Try Pablo Casals' The Best of His Acoustic & Electric Recordings (1915-1928), Jacqueline Du Pre's Impressions, Yo-Yo Ma's The New York Album, James Galway's Flute Concertos and Eugenia Zukerman's Flute Concertos.