DETROIT, MI (October 9, 2006) - Wayne State Faculty and Detroit Symphony Orchestra members Robert Conway and Robert deMaine will be performing the complete Beethoven Sonatas for piano and violoncello in two free concerts on Sunday, October 22 and Sunday, October 29. Both concerts are at 3 p.m. in the Schaver Music Recital Hall, located at 480 W. Hancock, Detroit. Both concerts are presented as part of WSU Music’s new Sunday Concert Series. For additional information please call (313) 577-1795 or visit www.music.wayne.edu.

Ludwig von Beethoven wrote five sonatas for piano and violoncello; numbers 1 in F Major, 4 in C Major and 3 in A major will be performed on October 22, as well as Twelve Variations on “Ein Madchen oder Weibchen” from Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote”. On October 29, Sonatas 2 in G Minor and 5 in D Major will be performed, along with Twelve Variations on “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” from Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” and Seven Variations on “Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen” from Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote”.

Robert deMaine was named Principal Cellist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2002, as well as cello instructor and adjunct faculty at WSU. He began his solo career at the age of twelve, and has performed worldwide since. He is a fellowship alumnus and magna­ cum laude graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Yale University; his teachers have included Steven Doane, Paul Katz, Aldo Parisot, Bernard Greenhouse, Janos Starker and Luis Garcia-Renart. deMaine was voted Outstanding Classical Instrumentalist for 2004 by the Detroit Music Awards, and in addition to his duties as Principal Cellist of the DSO, he continues to appear throughout the United States and abroad as concerto soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, recording artist and pedagogue, presenting master classes while on tour.

Associate Professor Robert Conway has been playing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and has an established career as soloist and chamber musician. He is also the Piano Division Coordinator and instructor of piano at WSU. He has numerous premieres to his credit, including the United States premiere of Iannis Xenakis\'s Akea with the Arditti String Quartet and the European premiere of Tania Leon\'s Kabiosile with the RIAS Orchestra in Berlin. Conway has worked with other performing organizations and festivals including Toledo Symphony\'s Music Today Series, Detroit Chamber Winds, Cayman International Music Festival, June in Buffalo, Great Music West, Lancaster Festival, Breckenridge Music Institute, Detroit Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and the Twice Festival of Sinewave Sessions.