Programs
THE AMERICAN PIANO explores and celebrates nearly two centuries of keyboard music by American composers and combines the talents of two pianists, both esteemed specialists in American repertoire, and a leading writer and music historian. The American Piano is flexibly formatted to suit the needs of presenters and educational institutions. Pianists Anthony de Mare and Steven Mayer and Artistic Director Joseph Horowitz are available for residencies (master classes, lectures) as well as concerts. Repertoire for a given engagement - including piano duets, two piano works, and works with orchestra - is planned in consultation with the presenter. Collaboration with resident artists and scholars is welcome.
The Black Virtuoso Tradition
As part of the national tour of The American Piano, pianists Anthony de Mare and Steven Mayer present a spirited retrospective tracing African-American influences that have transcended racial boundaries, inspiring black and white composers across several generations. The Black Virtuoso Tradition has already received popular and enthusiastic responses from critics and audiences around the country. From the pioneering voice of Louis Moreau Gottschalk, America's first virtuoso showman, to the musical wizards who helped define jazz through the decades, the listener journeys through ragtime, blues, stride and Afro-Caribbean influences to the current trends in improv, funk and hip-hop. This electric cross-section of composers new and old includes Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, George Gershwin, Art Tatum, Fred Hersch, Fats Waller, Anthony Davis, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Dick Hyman, Frederic Rzewski and Duke Ellington, among others.
Jammin' Tigers: Celebrating Art Tatum and Frederic Rzewski
Jammin' Tigers is a shared program of solo and four hand works performed together by pianists Anthony de Mare and Steven Mayer. This multi-faceted presentation includes original film footage of Art Tatum from the 1940's, and will include the world premiere of a new work written for this occasion by Frederic Rzewski. Anthony de Mare has been described as "a wonder every listener must hear to believe" (Fanfare Magazine). He commands an unsurpassed breadth of American piano repertoire. Steven Mayer is the leading worldwide re-creator of Art Tatum's music. Gramophone said of his 2004 Naxos release of Tatum solos: "You could be hearing the great man himself."
Louisiana - 200 Years in New Orleans
New Orleans is not just an American jazz birthplace, but an early nexus of African, Caribbean and European culture in America. From the early 1800's, musicians like Charles Lucien Lambert, Sr. traveled to Paris to study with European masters such as Massenet. The teenage Louis Moreau Gottschalk wowed Chopin and Berlioz by playing piano pieces he wrote depicting African and Caribbean life back in Louisiana. Jelly Roll Morton claimed to have invented "true" jazz in 1904, laying the foundation for later New Orleans natives Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., James Booker and Fats Domino. In our times, composers Jeffrey Harrington and the legendary Professor Longhair convey the spirit and history of the rich musical legacy of New Orleans. Acclaimed American pianists Anthony de Mare and Steven Mayer lend their formidable talents to the illumination of 200 years of New Orleans musical history. Program includes works by: James Booker, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Jeffrey Harrington, Charles Lucien Lambert, Sr., Professor Longhair, Jelly Roll Morton, Frederic Rzewski, Vincent Youmans (arr. Tatum).
(Cross)Cultural Dialogues: David Gonzalez and The Poetic License Band: City of Dreams | Douglas J. Cuomo’s Arjuna’s Dilemma produced by Music-Theatre Group | Pamela Z: Gaijin | Abraham Inc. with David Krakauer, Fred Wesley and Socalled | Maya Beiser: Provenance with special guests Jamey Haddad and Bassam Saba
World Music / Jazz: Pablo Ziegler: Trio for New Tango, Tango Meets Jazz with special guest artists | David Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness! | Maya Beiser: Provenance with special guests Jamey Haddad and Bassam Saba | David Gonzalez and The Poetic License Band: City of Dreams
New Music: Akoka (Messiaen REMIX): David Krakauer, Matt Haimovitz and friends | Maya Beiser: Almost Human, World to Come | 2 Foot Yard | Anthony de Mare: Missing Peace
Early Music: Lionheart
Contemporary Music Theatre / Multi-Disciplinary: Douglas J. Cuomo’s Arjuna’s Dilemma produced by Music-Theatre Group | The Paul Dresher / Steven Schick Project | Pamela Z: Gaijin†, Voci, Metal/Vox/Water | Paul Dresher Ensemble production of The Tyrant with John Duykers
Composers: Paul Dresher | Phil Kline
Classical Music: David Krakauer with the Orion String Quartet | David Krakauer with string orchestra: Osvaldo Golijov’s The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind | Pablo Ziegler: Tango Orchestra Project
Special Projects: Fear and Loathing: The Music of Phil Kline | Phil Kline's John the Revelator: Lionheart with string quartet | Jammin’ Tigers – Tatum and Rzewski: Anthony de Mare & Steven Mayer