William Chapman Nyaho

William Chapman Nyaho is an active solo recitalist and chamber musician presenting recitals and concerts in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, as well as in cities across the United States. Nyaho grew up in Ghana, West Africa, and passionately advocates for music by composers of African descent. He currently serves on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran University, as well as on the summer faculty of Interlochen Center for the Arts. Nyaho is also a renowned chamber musician, recording artist, teacher, adjudicator and arts leader.

Clayton Stephenson: Moving Forces

American pianist Clayton Stephenson’s love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” (Gramophone), he is committed to making an impact on the world through his music-making. His accolades along the way have been numerous: in addition to being the first Black finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022, he was named a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist, as well as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.

 

World of Piano: Sarah Davis Buechner

World of the Piano

Noted for her musical command, cosmopolitan artistry and visionary independence, Sara Davis Buechner is one of the most original concert pianists of our time. Lauded for her “intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess” (The New York Times), “thoughtful artistry in the full service of music” (Washington Post) and “astounding virtuosity” (Philippine Star), Japan’s InTune magazine sums it up: “Buechner has no superior.” She has been awarded top prizes at many of the world’s premier international piano competitions, and was the Bronze Medalist of the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and Gold Medalist of the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in the United States.

World of Piano with John O’Connor

World of the Piano

Recognized as one of the world’s premier Beethoven interpreters, Shenandoah Conservatory Distinguished Artist-in-Residence John O’Conor returns to the stage with a dynamic program exploring a broad range of solo piano works and culminating in Beethoven’s beloved “Pathetique.” The native Dubliner was unanimously awarded first prize at the 1973 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna, launching a virtuosic and global career where he is now acknowledged, “…as one of the greatest pianists of our time, and his expressive touch has lost nothing of the perfection that first launched him to fame over 40 years ago” (Madison Magazine).

This performance is made possible by Marjorie and John Lewis in honor of John O’Conor.

Program

Franz Joseph Haydn: Sonata in B Minor, Hob. XVI:32
Franz Schubert: Four Impromptus, D. 899
John Field: Three Nocturnes
Alexander Scriabin: Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, op. 9
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in No. 8 in C Minor, op. 13 (“Pathetique”)

Program subject to change.

Collaborative Arts: Voice & Piano

Collaborative Arts: Voice & Piano

Suzanne DuPlantis, mezzo-soprano & Laura Ward, piano of LyricFest

Special guests, Suzanne DuPlantis, mezzo-soprano, and Laura Ward, piano, join Shenandoah Conservatory faculty and students to curate and produce an intimate evening of art song, while exploring the collaborative relationship between pianist and vocalist. As co-artistic directors of the Philadelphia-based Lyric Fest, DuPlantis and Ward lead the only performing-arts organization in the mid-Atlantic region with a primary focus on song and art song in all its varied expressions.

World of the Piano: Michelle Cann

Hailed as “a compelling, sparkling virtuoso” (Boston Music Intelligencer), Michelle Cann is an exquisite pianist and champion of music by Florence Price, the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Cann made her orchestral debut at the age of 14 and has performed in recital and as a chamber musician and orchestral soloist throughout the United States, China and South Korea. She has also won top prizes in state, national and international competitions including the International Russian Music Piano Competition, Blount Slawson Young Artists Competition and Wideman International Piano Competition.

PROGRAM

Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, op. 47
Florence Price: Sonata in E Minor
Johannes Brahms: Ballade in D Major, op. 10, No. 2
Johannes Brahms: Variations on an Original Theme, op. 21, No. 1
Florence Price: Fantasie Nègre No. 1 in E Minor
Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water

Tickets: $25
https://tickets.su.edu/22-01-michelle-cann

Two Guys, Two Pianos

Jazz pianists Robert Larson and Tony Nalker perform a free recital showcasing music for jazz piano.
Meet the Artists

TONY NALKER performs widely in Washington, D.C., currently serving as jazz pianist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops. From 1989 to 2016, Nalker was the pianist of the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, the Army Blues, and served as the group’s enlisted leader. Nalker played for the highest levels of the U.S. government and military and performed on USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also toured on musical diplomacy missions throughout the world on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Since 2005, Nalker has served as pianist of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, performing throughout the country to share the Smithsonian’s collection of iconic jazz works with the American public. Since 2012, he has also performed with the National, Maryland, and Baltimore symphonies.

ROBERT LARSON joined the faculty of Shenandoah Conservatory in 1982. He is the Director of Jazz Studies and has served three terms as chair of the Instrumental Division. He holds degrees from Eastern Washington University, the University of Oregon, and Shenandoah Conservatory. He conducted the Shenandoah Conservatory Jazz Ensemble from 1987 to 2000, and during that time the ensemble performed with guest artists such as Randy Brecker, Billy Taylor, Bob Berg, Conrad Herwig, Allen Vizzutti, Vince DiMartino, Chris Vadala, and many others. The ensemble performed in China, Japan, Spain, France, and Iceland as well as throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Free

World of the Piano: Sae Yoon Chon

WORLD OF THE PIANO

First prize winner at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition, Sae Yoon Chon has won numerous awards including second prize at the 2017 Jose Iturbi International Piano Competition and first prize at the 2012 Hanoi International Piano Competition, among many others. He began playing piano at the age of six and made his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra at the age of 18. In May 2020, Chon performs debut recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York and Wigmore Hall in London.

PROGRAM
Beethoven: Sonata in F Major, op. 10 No. 2
Dutilleux: Choral et variations
Liszt: Rhapsodie Espagnole
Brahms: Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, op. 5

$25
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