Conrad Tao (Piano Recital)

American pianist Conrad Tao presents a diverse programme ranging from the melodic compositions of Schumann and Rachmaninoff through ragtime and jazz standards to the atonal works of the Second Viennese School.

The core of the programme features selections from Gershwin's Song Book from the early 1930s - piano transcriptions of his most famous songs, including The Man I Love, Clap Yo' Hands, and I Got Rhythm. The recital also includes Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag, virtuosic arrangements of interwar American songs (All By Myself, Over the Rainbow, Lush Life), the aria I Loves You, Porgy from the opera Porgy and Bess, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold's music from the film Kings Row. Contrast to these melodies comes from Arnold Schoenberg's Two Piano Pieces op. 33. The programme is rounded out by Tao's improvisations on Schumann's song Auf einer Burg and on variations from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The second half of the evening culminates in a piano transcription of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances op. 45 arranged by Inon Barnatan.

Programme:
George Gershwin: The Man I Love from Song Book
Arnold Schoenberg: Piano Piece op. 33a
George Gershwin: Clap Yo' Hands from Song Book
Scott Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag
Arnold Schoenberg: Piano Piece op. 33b
Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Randy and Drake, music from the film Kings Row
Irving Berlin (arr. Conrad Tao): All By Myself
Conrad Tao / Sergei Rachmaninoff: Improvisation on the 15th Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op. 43
Harold Arlen (arr. Art Tatum): Over the Rainbow
Sergei Rachmaninoff: 18th Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op. 43
Billy Strayhorn (arr. Conrad Tao): Lush Life
Robert Schumann: Auf einer Burg from Liederkreis op. 39
George Gershwin (arr. Conrad Tao): I Loves You, Porgy
George Gershwin: I Got Rhythm from Song Book
Sergei Rachmaninoff (arr. Inon Barnatan): Symphonic Dances op. 45

Performer: Conrad Tao - piano