Pianist -- and newly tabbed MacArthur "genius" -- Jeremy Denk is scheduled to play at Union's Memorial Chapel October 4. Tickets are $25 / $10 students and on sale now.
Blurbage for the Union concert:
Denk offers an innovative program connecting classical works with those influenced by jazz. In between classical works: Mozart's Sonata in F Major, K. 533/494, Schumann's Waldszenen, Op. 82, and Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata, Op. 53, Denk will perform a new work written for him by jazz pianist Brad Mehldau along with a series of rags by Bolcom, Hindemith, Stravinsky and others.
As mentioned above, Denk was also one of the new MacArthur Fellows announced this week. From the foundation's profile of him:
Jeremy Denk is a concert pianist enlivening the musical experience for amateurs and aficionados alike through his eloquence with notes and words. As a soloist and in concerti and chamber ensembles, Denk masterfully performs some of the most technically demanding works of iconic masters--Bach, Beethoven, Chopin--as well as compositions of storied twentieth-century artists--Ives and Ligeti--with virtuosic dexterity and imagination. Noted for his unexpected pairings of pieces in recital programs and recordings, he often draws out surprising themes and continuities between historically and stylistically disparate works. His live and recorded duets with violinist Joshua Bell, a longstanding tradition, are critically acclaimed and lauded for their extraordinary balance and original interpretation.
The foundation also praised his (occasionally updated) blog -- Think Denk -- and his writing for outlets such as The New Yorker.
This won't be Denk's first time through here. He played at both Union and Skidmore a few times over the last couple of years.
Another "genius": Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile -- was a MacArthur fellow last year -- is playing at the Massry Center at St. Rose October 27.