Aleck KarisIn addition to "a record number of premieres," the 2011 UAF New Music Festival this weekend will feature pianist Aleck Karis.

Karis has been one of the leading pianists in the New York contemporary music scene for 20 years. Particularly associated with the music of Elliott Carter, Mario Davidovsky, and John Cage, he has championed their works all over the world. Among his numerous solo piano discs on Bridge Records are acclaimed recordings of Stravinsky, Schumann, Carter and John Cage. Recently, Karis performed Birtwistle's marathon solo work "Harrison's Clocks "in London and New York, Feldman's "Patterns in a Chromatic Field" in New York. He has also appeared at the Venice Biennale.

On Saturday night, he will give a concert including works by Oliver Messiaen, Elliott Carter, and Frédéric Chopin. In addition to performing with other musicians in the festival, he will also present a master class at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The public may audit the master class for free.

Here's the quick take on events, which start on Thursday. All concerts will take place in Davis Concert Hall at 8pm.

Thursday, February 3rd - Student performers/composers concert, 8pm

This concert will showcase the talents of UAF undergraduate and graduate performers/composers. Premieres by student composers Emerson Eads, Jonathan Heinz, Dean Shannon, and alumni Etsuko Pederson. Other works by Cornelius Cardew, and Jeff Herriott.

Friday, February 4th -Faculty and Student performers/composers concert, 8pm

Works by Helmut Lachenmann, Charles Ives, Steve Reich, Ian Clarke, Morton Feldman, and Iannis Xenakis. Faculty performances by Karl Knapp, Jun Watabe, and a world premiere by James Bicigo, among others.

Saturday, February 5 - Karis master class and concert.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 students/seniors/military