Celebration, Reflection, and Remembrance:

A Recital for the High Holidays and the 25th Anniversary of September 11. Cellist Robbie Hausmann returns home to perform a recital of Celebration, Reflection, and Remembrance — a program celebrating the High Holidays and commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Robbie recently relocated to Boulder, Colorado, following a distinguished 43-year career with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In a BPO first for a retiring musician, Robbie appeared as soloist in his farewell performance, playing Bloch’s Prayer. The recital features works by two rarely heard Jewish composers, Julius Chajes and Joachim Stutschewsky, alongside Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei — among the most beloved and widely recognized works in the cello repertoire. The program also marks the 25th anniversary of September 11 through two contemporary works: September 11th by Amrom Chodos and Remembrance and the Strength to Overcome by Christopher Ziemba. Robbie will be joined by his longtime pianist and friend, Alfred B. Frenning. For Robbie, this performance is especially personal. The Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo has played an important role in fostering his lifelong passion for Jewish music, making this return not only a concert but a meaningful homecoming. Through music of profound beauty and emotional depth, Celebration, Reflection, and Remembrance invites audiences to reflect on the past, celebrate enduring traditions, and embrace the hope and renewal at the heart of the High Holidays.

Performed by: Robbie Hausmann and Alfred B. Frenning

Robbie Hausmann, a native of Western New York, enjoyed a distinguished 43-year career as a cellist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In a first for a retiring BPO musician, he appeared as soloist in his farewell performance, performing Ernest Bloch's Prayer with the orchestra.

His early studies were with Buffalo Philharmonic cellists William Fahlbusch and Robert Carapetyan. He continued his musical education at the Juilliard School, where he studied with Harvey Shapiro, and at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Paul Katz of the Cleveland Quartet.

With his longtime pianist and friend, Alfred Frenning, Robbie has devoted himself to exploring and performing the rich and diverse repertoire of Jewish music for cello and piano. Together they have presented programs featuring both beloved masterpieces and rarely heard works, sharing this music with audiences throughout Western New York and beyond. This recital reflects Robbie's lifelong passion for celebrating the beauty, spirituality, and enduring legacy of Jewish music.

Robbie, now living in Boulder, Colorado, is delighted to share this program with audiences in both his new community and his hometown of Buffalo.

Alfred B. Frenning enjoys a diverse musical career, performing on violin, viola, cello, piano and viola da gamba in recital, chamber and symphonic orchestras. He has participated with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Cammerata di San Antonio and Artpark Orchestra. Alfred has been the cellist at Shea's for more than twenty years. Alfred brings this breadth of experience to this evening's performance