WURTSBORO, NY — A performance composed of seasonal, Christmas and Hanukkah selections offers something for everyone at a holiday concert at the Mamakating Library, to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5.

Alex Prizgintas will offer jazz, rock, klezmer and traditional music on his electric cello.

Prizgintas will explain the back stories of his selections, exploring musical history, he said. “Most often, cellists play concerts. I’m a little different in that I try to give a show.” 

He promises more give-and-take with the audience. "Some of my favorite selections in the Bach to Rock program include the Baroque cello suites of J.S. Bach, Latin tangos such as Astor Piazzolla's ‘Libertango,’ and opera selections like Donizetti's ‘Una Furtiva Lagrima’ and Verdi's ‘La Donna Mobile,’" he said. "I enjoy the lyricism of opera especially when contrasted by the counterpoint of jazz by masters like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Brubeck.” But remember, the electric cello embraces rock too.

Prizgintas recently graduated summa cum laude from Marist College with a degree in regional history—and is currently a graduate student in public administration. To learn more and see other video samples of his music and lectures, visit alexprizgintas.com.

The library is located at 128 Sullivan St.