by Lindsay Hanson
Concert Series Coordinator
When Peter Serkin performs at the Union Theater on Saturday May 5, he'll present his fifth recital on our stage, and his performance will also close out the Concert Series for 11-12. What a great year it has been! We're delighted to be able to celebrate the end of the season with Serkin's solo piano recital.
Serkin's program is sure to appeal to many music lovers. The first half is distinctive, due to the fact that all three pieces come from the 20th Century piano repertoire and two of them were composed especially for Mr. Serkin. They are the opening piece, Variations, Op. 24 by Oliver Knussen, written in 1989, as well as Adagio by Charles Wuorinen, written in 2011. It will be a real treat to hear these relatively new pieces performed by the person they were written for!
I'm particularly intrigued by another piece on the first half, For Away, by Toru Takemitsu, written in 1973 for pianist Roger Woodward. The piece was inspired by the rhythmic complexities of Balinese Gamelan, which the composer heard in 1972 during a trip to Bali. You may hear those rhythmic similarities in the first moments of the two videos posted below, the first of the ensemble Gamelan Cudamani, and the second of Serkin performing Takemitsu's For Away.
The recital closes with the monumental work by Beethoven, Thirty-three Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, op. 120. According to this Chicago Tribune review of Serkin's recital on February 3rd of this year, it ought to be stunning. The reviewer called Serkin's recital "a vital occasion," making "the majority of other recitals seem like surface display and easy entertainment."
Wow! After reading that review, I can't wait for Serkin's concert here in my own town! Be sure to contact the box office today for great seats while they are still available, and join us as we close out the 11-12 season with a bang.
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