Pianist and MacArthur "Genius" performs at Harris Concert Hall March 6

March 4th, 2008 at 03:08pm Aspen Music Festival 355

“Here at last we have a major pianist using the brilliance at his disposal to illuminate what the composer wrote, rather than himself.”―John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune

ASPEN, Colo. — Pianist Stephen Hough is widely regarded as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation. The renowned pianist brings his extraordinary touch to the beloved repertoire of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and more in Harris Concert Hall, Thursday, March 6 as part of the Aspen Music Festival and School’s 2008 winter recital series.

The program includes Mendelssohn’s Variations sérieuses in D minor, op. 54; Webern’s Variations for Piano, op. 27; Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, op. 111; Weber’s Aufforderung zum Tanze (Invitation to the Dance), J. 260, op. 65; Chopin’s Waltzes; Saint- Saëns’ Valse nonchalante in D-flat major, op. 110; Chabrier’s Feuillet d'album; Debussy’s La plus que lente; and Liszt’s work from Valses oubliees, and his Mephisto Waltz No. 1, “The Dance in the Village Inn.”

From highly acclaimed performances in recital, to his work with the world's greatest orchestras, including this month’s tour of major US cities with the Russian National Orchestra, Hough has received acclamation from critics and audiences alike. He was awarded a prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2001 in recognition of his achievements, and in December 2007, the Northwestern University School of Music chose him be the second recipient of the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance (a biennial award that honors pianists who have achieved the highest levels of national and international recognition).
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The AMFS’s 2008 winter recital series includes the best and the brightest of today’s classical music scene. The final concert if the series features young violin sensation Leila Josefowicz performing the timeless music of Brahms and Schubert on March 10.
Recitals are performed at 7:30 pm in Aspen’s 500-seat Harris Concert Hall (960 N. Third Street, Aspen, CO). Single tickets for the March 6 concert, priced at $55, are available at the AMFS Harris Hall Box Office, by calling 970-925-9042, or online at www.aspenmusicfestival.com.
In addition to the winter recital series, the AMFS is expanding its free community concert series, now called Music and M.O.R.E., to include events in Aspen and Glenwood Springs. These entertaining and energetic performances, including discussion, are one hour, are free, and open to the entire community. For information call 970-925-9042.
The Aspen Music Festival and School is the United States’ most extensive classical music festival, presenting more than 350 musical events during its nine-week summer season in Aspen. The institution draws top classical musicians from around the world for an unparalleled combination of performances and music education. The 2008 season runs June 19 through August 17.
The Aspen Meadows Resort is the hospitality sponsor of the 2008 Winter Music Series.

Entry Filed under: Music, Classical Music, Aspen, Aspen Music Festival