This month I will be performing four solo recitals in four different states: Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
All of the events are free of charge and open to the public! If you attend, please stay afterwards so I can meet you!
I have also been creating a series of daily short videos (60 seconds or less) on YouTube and Instagram, which count down to my first recital. You can check out the YouTube shorts playlist here.
Here are the complete details:
The PROGRAM:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 7
This four-movement sonata is a tour de force for the piano. Although it is a piano sonata, the style of writing is so rich, energetic and multi-layered that it evokes the texture and feel of some of Beethoven’s orchestral writing.
The melodic and grand first movement precedes one of the most beautiful slow movements of all his piano sonatas. The third movement is a charming minuet, and the final movement is a tuneful rondo that is interrupted by a brief tumultuous interlude, before ending peacefully and amiably.
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op. 29
Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op. 59, No. 2
Prelude in A-flat Major, Op 28, No. 17
Valse brillante in A-flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1
This set of four pieces by Chopin highlight four different ways he writes in the key of A-flat major. Each type of piece has its own unique character, starting with the impetuous first impromptu and concluding with the delightful waltz.
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Pagodes
L’Isle joyeuse
These two pieces complement each other well, and both depict visual images in sound. Pagodes is the first piece from a three-movement work called Estampes, and is a musical description of Japanese pagodas. L’Isle joyeuse was inspired by a painting titled L’embarquement pour Cythère (Pilgrimage to the Isle of Cythera) by Jean-Antoine Watteau. This painting depicts many pairs of lovers arriving on the island of Cythera, which is said to be the birthplace of Venus, the goddess of love.
The CONCERTS (Dates and locations)
Tuesday, November 8, 7:30 pm: Rock Island, Illinois
Augustana College: Wallenberg Hall, 3520 7th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois 61201
This will be a “homecoming” of sorts – looking forward to going back to my old stomping grounds! I hope to reconnect with some of my old friends there! Thank you to Robert Elfline for hosting me.
I will also be giving a masterclass for Augustana music students on Wednesday, November 9 from 10:30-11:30 am. The masterclass is free and open to the public and will take place in Wallenberg Hall.
They wrote a profile of me that you can read here.
Thursday, November 10, 7:30 pm: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota: Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall in Ferguson Hall, 2106 4th St S, Minneapolis MN 55455
I am really looking forward to my first trip to the University of Minnesota. Thank you to Dr. Tim Lovelace for hosting me! We have known each other for a very long time; we both studied with Gilbert Kalish at the same time.
I will also be giving a masterclass for piano students at the University of Minnesota on Thursday, November 10 from 9:00-11:00 am. The masterclass is free and open to the public, and will take place in Ferguson Hall.
Click here for the LIVE STREAM link!
Saturday, November 12, 3:30 pm: Decorah, Iowa
Luther College: Jensen-Noble Recital Hall, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101
I will be in residence at Luther College for Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13. I am so honored to be the guest artist for the Dorian Keyboard Festival, and I can’t wait to meet the students. Thank you to Du and Xiao Hu for the invitation!
In addition to my recital from 3:30-4:15 on Saturday, November 12, I will be giving a masterclass to pre-college students from 11:15-12:15 on November 12 and another masterclass to Luther piano students on November 13 from 12:00-2:00 pm.
Click here for the complete festival schedule.
Click here for the LIVE STREAM link!
Tuesday, November 15, 7:30 pm: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Eau-Claire: Gantner Hall: 121 Water St, Eau Claire, WI 54703
I will conclude my tour with a visit to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I am really looking forward to seeing the campus and meeting the students there for the first time. Thank you to Nicholas Phillips for the invitation!
Click here for the Facebook announcement.
Dear Piano Prof,
Watched with delight your concert last night (in Minnesota). I found your performance so musical and after watching so many of your videos, so you.
I loved all the pieces in the program but felt something particularly special in your Debussy.
Perhaps next year you could play at Stony Brook, your old stomping grounds. My wife and I would certainly be there.
Thank you,
Tom Mackey