Schedule

Send in the pigs!

My autobiographical theater show. Nine piano pieces are performed in the course of the show, which also includes my climb atop the instrument itself, in order to engage in a dialogue with God.

” . . . fine performances of nine varied and challenging works that poignantly defined moments in the journey of a courageous artist . . . Buechner’s story, though often wrenching, was rich with childhood fantasies, wistful longings and absurd turns that had the audience laughing along.” — Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times.

“Of Pigs and Pianos” is presented with the assistance of Yamaha Artist Services, Bonnie Barrett, director; Phillip Baldwin, producer and co-creator; and Sal Trapani, director.

Full disclaimer: no pigs were harmed in the creation of the show.

I will play George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” under the baton of Yaniv Segal.

Solo Recital, program to be announced.

Solo Recital, program to be announced.

I was only three years old when my mother snuck me into the balcony of Baltimore’s Lyric Theater, to hear her favorite pianist. Some 20 years later he became my last and most influential teacher of all. His simple dictum was: “Music is Song and Dance. So sing and dance.” I repeat this to all my pupils.

I’m deeply honored to have been asked to contribute some words and music for this occasion. Many others of profound talent and spirit will also participate. As I will be in Japan on a concert tour, alas, I’ll appear by video. But my heart will be fully present to celebrate the remarkable life and extraordinary musical legacy of Byron Janis.

I will play a rare multi-cultural program of impressionist music by French and American composers — Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Francis Poulenc (his enchanting “Soirées de Nazelles”), John Alden Carpenter, Vernon Duke and Dana Suesse (her “Jazz Nocturne” and complete “Cocktail Suite”). With commentary in my best attempted Japanese!

私は、モーリス・ラヴェル、フランシス・プーランク（魅惑的な「ナゼルの夜会」）、シャルズ・グリフィス、デイナ・シュエスといったフランスとアメリカの作曲家による印象派音楽の珍しい多文化プログラムを演奏します。私の精一杯の日本語による解説も付きます！

I’ll play the sprightly Second Piano Concerto of Camille Saint-Säens, under the baton of the amazing young Cuban conductor Cosette Justo Valdés.

The Friday evening concert begins at 8:00 p.m., at the glorious Winspear Centre.

I’ll play the sprightly Second Piano Concerto of Camille Saint-Säens, under the baton of the amazing young Cuban conductor Cosette Justo Valdés.

The Thursday evening concert begins at 7:30 p.m., at the glorious Winspear Centre.

This evening’s class is an exhaustive survey of America’s greatest composer, George Gershwin. I will perform the solo version of “Rhapsody in Blue” as well as my own solo version of Gershwin’s rarely-heard Second Rhapsody (“Rhapsody in Rivets”). With my TU colleague, the spectacular pianist Charles Abramovic, we will essay duo-piano versions of the Cuban Overture and “An American in Paris.” More delights will follow — foxtrot improvisations from Gershwin’s piano rolls, and Dana Suesse’s rarely-heard duo-piano arrangements of Gershwin songs.

No absences will be allowed! from this essential course that you’ll enjoy from beginning to end.

The concert will be held at Temple University’s Rock Hall, at the corner of Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

I am honored to be one of the adjudicators of this distinguished international event.