Performing works by J.S. Bach, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff
J.S. BACHPrelude in E-flat Major, BWV 552 (arr. F. Busoni)Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 (arr. F. Busoni)Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (arr. F. Busoni)
Siciliano from Flute Sonata in E-flat Major, BWV 1031 (arr. W. Kempff)
Italian Concerto, BWV 971
Fugue in E-flat Major, BWV 552
DEBUSSYImages, Book
IIRACHMANINOFFSonata in B-flat Minor, Op.36
Born in Locarno, Switzerland, and a protégé of the great Alfred Brendel, Francesco Piemontesi rose to international prominence after winning prizes at several major competitions including the 2007 Queen Elisabeth in Brussels. In his fast-rising career, he has already performed as soloist with many leading orchestras under such noted conductors as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Zubin Mehta, Marek Janowski, Charles Dutoit, and Sir Roger Norrington. “His recitals and recordings attest to an artistry which is world-class in its mature refinement” (The Independent, London) and display “a combination of meticulous technical assurance and nearly philosophical introspection”(Musical America).
Parking is free in Lot P1. For more information, please call 278-2337.
All concerts will be held in the Concert Hall in the New Music Building, 2355 E. Keats Avenue. General admission is $25, seniors $18, and students $5. For tickets and more information, please visit keyboardconcerts.com or call 278-2337.
Parking is free of charge in Lot P1 (corner of Shaw and Maple Avenues) on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. For Wednesday night performances a $4 parking permit which can be obtained at the dispenser upon entering the lot may be required.
Founded in 1972 by the late Philip Lorenz, Professor of Piano at Fresno State from 1969-1992, the non-profit organization continues to honor him in celebration of their 47th season. Keyboard Concerts preserve the tradition established by Professor Lorenz of presenting audiences with talented artists who are as varied in style as they are ethnically diverse.
Performing works by Beethoven, Brahms, Kurtág, and Schumann
BEETHOVENSonata in A Major, Op.101
BRAHMSSix Piano Pieces, Op.118
KURTÁGSelections from Játékok
SCHUMANNSymphonic Etudes, Op.13
First Prize Winner at the 1991 Géza Anda International Piano Competition in Zürich, Dénes Várjon is following the footsteps of the great András Schiff as one of today’s most gifted Hungarian musicians. His artistic activities have included collaborations with such distinguished conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Sándor Végh, Iván Fischer, Heinz Holliger, Horst Stein, and Zoltán Kocsis as well as appearances at the international festivals of Marlboro, Salzburg, and Edinburgh. London’s Classical Music Magazine comments, “It is rare to hear such jaw-dropping virtuosity placed so modestly and so intuitively at the service of music.”
Performing works by Brahms, Beethoven, and Debussy
BRAHMSVariations on a Theme by Schumann, Op.9
BEETHOVENVariations and Fugue in E-flat Major, Op.35 “Eroica”
DEBUSSY12 Étude
A graduate of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, Cédric Tiberghien has established a truly international career, particularly applauded for his versatility, as demonstrated by his wide-ranging repertoire, creative programming, an openness to explore innovative concert formats, and his dynamic chamber music partnerships. A regular guest in the world’s most prestigious venues, this French pianist “can transform from a virtuoso into a magician with an airy touch and a poetic clarity that brings chills to the spine” (Le Soir, Brussels).
Performing works by J.S. Bach, Ligeti, Rachmaninoff, and Schubert
J.S. BACHPartita in D Major, BWV 828
LIGETISelections from Musica ricercata
RACHMANINOFFSelections from Moments musicaux, Op.16
SCHUBERTSonata in C Minor, D.958
In 2015 distinguished pianist András Schiff chose Roman Rabinovich for the inaugural “Building Bridges” series created to highlight young pianists of unusual promise. Prize winner at the 2008 Rubinstein International Piano Competition, this artist from Uzbekistan is lauded for his “crisp rhythmic bite and abundant colorings” (The New York Times) having already performed in the major halls in Leipzig, Moscow, London, Paris, New York, and Washington D.C. as well as participated in prestigious festivals such as Marlboro, Lucerne, Davos, Prague Spring, and Klavier-Festival Ruhr.
A selection of works by J.S. Bach Clavier-Übung III: Praeludium pro Organo pleno, BWV 552/1 Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669 Christie, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670 Kryie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671 Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 675 Fughetta super Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 677 Dies sind die heiligen Zehen Gebot’, BWV 678 Fughetta super Dies sind die heiligen Zehen Gebot’, BWV 679 Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 680 Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 682 Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684 Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 686 Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der von uns den Zorn Gottes wandt, BWV 688 Fuga a 5 con pedale pro Organo pleno, BWV 552/2
Nathan Laube has rapidly earned a place among the organ world’s elite performers receiving praise for his “impeccable technique, exceptional registrational creativity, and artistic skill beyond his years” (The American Organist). He enjoys a thriving performance career in Europe, Asia, and the United States where he has appeared in such distinguished venues as the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Sejong Center in Seoul, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles as well as the Berlin Cathedral, Notre-Dame in Paris, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, and Washington National Cathedral.
Co-sponsored with the San Joaquin Valley Chapter, American Guild of Organists.
CHOPINImpromptu in A-flat Major, Op.29Impromptu in F-sharp Major, Op.36Impromptu in G-flat Major, Op.51
SCHUBERTSonata in D Major, D.850Sonata in G Major, D.894
Born in Israel and a protégé of the great Emanuel Ax, Shai Wosner has attracted international recognition for his exceptional artistry, musical integrity, and creative insight. Winner of an Avery Fisher Career Development Award and a champion of works ranging from Beethoven and Schubert to Ligeti and the music of today, he is praised for his “keen musical mind and deep musical soul” (NPR’s All Things Considered) and for exemplifying a “remarkable blend of the intellectual, physical, and even devilish sides of performance”(Chicago Sun Times).
Award-winning artist Hamasyan fuses potent jazz improvisation with the rich folkloric heritage of Armenia. Nonesuch Records released Hamasyan’s third album “For Gyumri,” in February of 2018. A companion to last year’s “An Ancient Observer,” “For Gyumri” includes five additional songs. Hamasyan says of the pair of albums: “These songs are musical observations about the world we live in now, and the weight of history we carry with us.”
“He’s the hottest pianist in jazz, and he likes to mix things up, whether it’s bebop, thrash metal, or dubstep. But his heart is in the folk music of his native land, Armenia” (The Guardian, London). The legendary Herbie Hancock extolled, “A-may-zing! Now, Tigran, you are my teacher!”.
Co-sponsored with the Armenian Studies Program of Fresno State and the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation.
Performing works by Strauss/Grainger, Schubert, and Brahms
STRAUSS/GRAINGERRamble on the Last Love-Duet from “Der Rosenkavalier”
SCHUBERTFour Impromptus, D.935
BRAHMSSonata in F Minor, Op.5
The first Korean pianist to win the Cliburn Gold, Yekwon Sunwoo has been hailed for “his total command over the instrument and its expressiveness” (San Francisco Examiner). He has already performed to greatest acclaim in the new, spectacular Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg as well as major venues in Brussels, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Madrid, Helsingborg, Beirut, Taipei, and Hong Kong, demonstrating “utmost sensitivity and exceptional tonal refinement” (Chicago Tribune).
Co-sponsored with the Central California Korean Historical Society.
Performing a selection of works by Johannes Brahms:
Eight Piano Pieces, Op.76
Variations on an Original Theme, Op.21 No.1
Variations on a Hungarian Song, Op.21 No.2
Four Ballades, Op. 10
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op.35 (Book I)
The New York Times says Ohlsson has been celebrated for his “ tasteful virtuosity, elegant sense of proportion, and the balance between intimacy and declamation.” In 1970, he became the first and only American Gold Medalist of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. He has been described as, “a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess, he commands an enormously wide and eclectic repertoire that spans from Haydn and Mozart to works of the 21st century and includes over 80 concerti for piano and orchestra.”
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 