As much as cellist Michael Samis enjoys the music written for his own instrument, he finds that transcriptions open up a larger musical world to him. Playing in Studio C, Samis and pianist Amy Dorfman performed a program entirely made up of duets derived from keyboard solos. 

Set list:

Francois Couperin: 5 Pieces en concert

• originally for harpsichord;  transcribed by Paul Bazelaire

Frederic Chopin: Etude in c# Op. 25, No. 7 

• originally for piano but nicknamed “Cello” because of a prominent left hand melody; transcribed by Elizabeth Bell Drake (mother of Nashville Symphony cellist Stephen Drake)

Bela Bartok: Roumanian Folk Dances

• originally for piano, then arranged for string orchestra; this transcription by Luigi Silva is derived from the version for larger ensemble