Program

Italian Concerto, BWV 971                                                      Johann Sebastian Bach
     I. Allegro
Max Xu


Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2                                                Frédéric Chopin
Ellie Xuan


Prélude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4                                               Sergei Rachmaninoff
Armaan Mishra


Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31, No. 1                 Ludwig van Beethoven
     I. Allegro
August Gilmartin


Rhapsodie Espagnole, S. 254                                                                     Franz Liszt
Coco Connor

Critically acclaimed as a “musician’s pianist,” Matthew Bengtson has a unique combination of musical talents ranging from extraordinary pianist, to composer, analyst, and scholar of performance practice, and thus is in demand as both soloist and collaborator. An advocate of both contemporary and rarely performed music, he commands a diverse repertoire, ranging from William Byrd to György Ligeti and numerous contemporary composers, including substantial ongoing projects with Roberto Sierra. He has been presented in concerts as a La Gesse Fellow in France, Germany, Italy and Hungary, in Washington, DC, at Monticello, and in solo recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. He has also appeared on the Pro Musica series in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has appeared with violinist Joshua Bell on NPR’s “Performance Today” and XM Satellite Radio’s “Classical Confidential.” His recordings can be heard on the Roméo, Arabesque, Albany, Musica Omnia, Griffin Renaissance, and Navona record labels.

Our visiting artist Matthew Bengtson, who will be offering us a masterclass in Osher Recital Hall on Saturday, November 11th, is also performing two piano recitals while he is in the city. The first one is on Friday evening, November 10th, 8pm, at Old First Concerts, 1751 Sacramento Street. EVENT LINK This is a recital of all recently-composed music by composers Mr. Bengtson has worked with, including renowned composers Roberto Sierra, Paul Schoenfield, and William Bolcom. The program includes the world premiere of Sierra's Piano Sonata no. 13, dedicated to Bengtson, and selections of his exciting and acclaimed Estudios rítmicos y sonoros. The second program is on Tuesday afternoon, November 14th at 12:30pm, at Noontime Concerts, Old St. Mary's Cathedral, 660 California Street. EVENT LINK This midday recital features music by Karol Szymanowski and Alexander Scriabin, two of the composers for whose music Mr. Bengtson's work is best known. www.mattbengtson.com