Renowned pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin will perform a solo recital on the Lied Center for Performing Arts Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7. Along with two of his own works, Hamelin will include compositions of Debussy, Schubert, Beethoven and John Field’s “Andante inedit” in his performance.
Tickets are available at http://www.liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center Box Office or by phone at 402-472-4747. Tickets start at $36 for adults. Tickets to most Lied Center presented events are available to students for 50 percent off.
Hamelin’s appearance is the start of the Lied Center’s second annual Piano Series, a classical music programming highlight of the 25th anniversary season and one of the first performances of many campuswide to honor one of the most influential composers of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven.
A musician of broad musical interests and curiosity, Hamelin is renowned in equal measure for his fresh readings of the established repertoire and for his exploration of lesser known works of the 19th and 20th centuries, both in the recording studio and the concert hall. His unique blend of musicianship and creativity brings forth interpretations known for their freedom, originality and prodigious mastery of the piano’s resources.
Born in Montreal and a resident of Boston, Hamelin received a 2010 Grammy nomination (his ninth) and a first prize from the German Record Critics’ Award Association. He is the recipient of a lifetime achievement prize by the German Record Critic’s Association, is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Quebec and a member of the Royal Society of Canada.
“We are delighted to have a pianist of Hamelin’s caliber performing at the Lied Center,” said Lied artistic director Ann Chang. “After the tremendous success of the first Piano Series, we knew that the series would return and continue to attract some of the finest pianists in the world. Hamelin certainly falls into this category.”
Recognized as the single most important musical figure of the early 19th century and beyond, Beethoven was a revolutionary who will long be remembered as the man who single-handedly created the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era and for his many other contributions to classical music.
Beethoven’s works will be featured throughout the Lied Center’s 25th anniversary season. All of the Piano Series artists will showcase at least one solo piano work by Beethoven, and on Feb. 6, the Chicago Symphony has programmed Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as part of its debut performance at the Lied Center. The season will conclude with the performance of his last symphony, the magnificent ninth – “Ode to Joy” or “Choral Symphony” by Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra, and invited chorus and soloists.
The following is a list of performances taking place campus featuring the works of Beethoven by Lied Season artists as well as faculty and guests of the Glenn Korff School of Music. Go to http://www.liedcenter.org for more information or to purchase tickets for events at the Lied Center.
Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. — Marc-Andre Hamelin, piano, Lied Center Main Stage; Piano Sonata Op. 109.
Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. — UNL Symphony Orchestra, Kimball Recital Hall; Wellington’s Victory (“Battle Symphony”), Op. 91; Concerto in C major for violin, cello, piano and orchestra, Op. 56 (“Triple”) featuring Ann Chang, piano, David Neely, violin, and Karen Becker, cello; Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92; general admission $5, student/seniors $3.
Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. — Jonathan Biss, piano, Lied Center Main Stage; Sonata in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1; Sonata in A major, Op. 101.
Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. — Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lied Center Main Stage; Symphony No. 5 in C major, Op. 67.
Feb. 8, 3 p.m. — Clark Potter, violin, Kimball Recital Hall; Nocturne for Viola and Piano, Op. 42; Serenade for Flute, Violin and Viola, Op. 25; Variations on Mozart’s “La ci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni, WoO 28; free and open to the public.
April 25, 7:30 p.m. — “Ode to Joy” Beethoven Masterworks, Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra featuring Jon Nakumatsu, Lied Center Main Stage; Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”; Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 (“The Choral”).
