Hear the sounds of the violin with Roger Zahab on Tuesday

Violinist-composer Roger Zahab of the University of Pittsburgh will give a free recital… Violinist-composer Roger Zahab of the University of Pittsburgh will give a free recital tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. Zahab, who is known for his daring program selections, will perform some of his own work as well as pieces by John Cage, Roger Sessions, Iannis Xenakis and Carnegie Mellon composer Reza Vali.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Zahab attributes much of his early influences to the Arabic folk music and Byzantine chant he heard growing up. As a result, melody is a dominant feature of his compositions. Informally, some of his biggest influences, in terms of composition, have been John Cage, Ursula Mamlok and Tison Street. Having performed over 100 premiers of different works, his recent commissions include “Uncovered by Night,” an opera that explores the history and ghosts of Peninsula, Ohio, “August Shade,” a multi-media performance work, and a trilogy of compositions for the Ohio Bicentennial in 2003.

Zahab is currently the University of Pittsburgh’s orchestra director as well as a violin instructor and lecturer. He has written music for a variety of venues, including chamber, vocal and orchestral, as well as work in video, theater and dance. “Doubles Keening,” “Fall/Return” and “Personal Dances” have recently been recorded and his work has been heard throughout Italy, Switzerland, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, London and Lima.

Roger Zahab will perform a free recital tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. For more information, call (412) 624-4125.