Renowned pianists Simone Dinnerstein and Awadagin Pratt, each celebrated for their remarkable artistry, come together to present a program showcasing a selection of timeless works for two pianos. From the introspective depths of Pēteris Vasks’ Castillo Interior and the shimmering harmonies of Philip Glass’ Etude No. 6 to the elegant melodies of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos, and the natural serenity of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale,” arranged by Selmar Bagge for piano four hands, experience a diverse range of emotions and styles in this captivating program.
- Castillo Interior (Awadagin) – Pēteris Vasks
- Etude No 6 (Simone) – Philip Glass
- Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Allegro con spirito
- Andante
- Molto Allegro
- Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 (“Pastorale”) – Ludwig van Beethoven
A Broyhill Classic Concert Series Event
Supporting Sponsorship provided by the Broyhill Family Foundation and Campus Store
Tickets
Contact theschaefercenter@appstate.edu, call 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046, visit the box office at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, or purchase online.
$40 Standard
$35 App State Faculty/Staff
$10 Children (12 and younger)
Parking
Parking can be challenging, particularly for sold-out events. Please allow extra time to park and arrive at the theatre before showtime.
Accommodations
App State is committed to providing an inclusive experience for individuals with disabilities. If accommodations are needed in order to fully participate on the basis of a disability, contact the Office of Disability Resources (828-262-3056). It is recommended that accommodation requests be made two weeks prior to the event.
About Simone Dinnerstein
American pianist Simone Dinnerstein has a distinctive musical voice. Praised by The Washington Post for her “strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity,” Dinnerstein gained widespread recognition in 2007 with her groundbreaking recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The New York Times hails her as “a unique voice in the forest of Bach interpretation.” With a career spanning prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and collaborations with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, she has also released 13 chart-topping albums, including her pandemic trilogy: A Character of Quiet, An American Mosaic, and Undersong, the latter earning a Grammy nomination.
In recent years, Dinnerstein has embarked on innovative projects that showcase her diverse musical interests. From multi-media productions like The Eye Is the First Circle, integrating her father’s artwork and Charles Ives’ compositions, to championing contemporary works like Richard Danielpour’s An American Mosaic, a tribute to those affected by the pandemic. Notably, Dinnerstein’s collaborations have included premiering Philip Glass’ Piano Concerto No. 3 and performing André Previn and Tom Stoppard’s Penelope, alongside Renée Fleming and the Emerson String Quartet. Additionally, she founded and directs the ensemble Baroklyn.
The Washington Post comments, “it is Dinnerstein’s unreserved identification with every note she plays that makes her performance so spellbinding.” In a world where music is everywhere, she hopes that it can still be transformative.
For more information, visit simonedinnerstein.com.
photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
About Awadagin Pratt
Among his generation of concert artists, pianist Awadagin Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involving performances in recital and with symphony orchestras. Mr. Pratt studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he became the first student in the school’s history to receive diplomas in three performance areas – piano, violin and conducting.
In 1992, Mr. Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant. Since then, he has played numerous recitals throughout the U.S., including performances at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. His many orchestral performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic and the Atlanta, Baltimore, St. Louis and Detroit symphonies among many others. An experienced conductor, his most recent conducting activities include playing/conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and conducting performances of Porgy and Bess for the Greensboro Opera. In July 2023, Mr. Pratt joined the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a Professor of Piano. He is also the Artistic Director of the Art of Piano Festival, which takes place in Cincinnati every spring.
photo: Robert Reck