Sunday, November 25, 2007

Program:

Charles Wuorinen: Christe of Josquin des Prez
Olivier Messiaen: Petites Esquisses d’Oiseaux
J.S. Bach: Capriccio on the Departure of the Beloved Brother
J. Brahms: Thema mit Variationen (1860)
J. Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Händel, Op. 24 (1861)

Recognized as an artist of passion and integrity, American pianist Peter Serkin is one of the most thoughtful and individualistic musicians appearing before the public today. Throughout his career he has successfully conveyed the essence of four centuries of musical repertoire and his performances with symphony orchestras, recital appearances, chamber music collaborations, and recordings are respected worldwide.

Peter Serkin’s rich musical heritage extends back several generations. His grandfather was violinist and composer Adolf Busch, and his father, pianist Rudolf Serkin. In 1958, at age eleven, he entered the Curtis Institute of Music and a year later made his debut at the Marlboro Music Festival. Since that time, he has performed with the world’s major symphony orchestras, and has played chamber music with Alexander Schneider, Pablo Casals, Pamela Frank, Yo-Yo Ma, Budapest String Quartet, Guarneri String Quartet, Orion String Quartet, and Tashi.

Ranging from Bach to Berio, Peter Serkin’s recordings reflect his distinctive musical vision. The Ocean that has no West and no East, recently released by Koch Records, contains compositions by Webern, Wolpe, Messiaen, Takemitsu, Knussen, Lieberson and Wuorinen. In June, 2000, BMG released a recording of Serkin performing three Beethoven sonatas. Other recent recordings include the Brahms violin sonatas with Pamela Frank, Dvorak’s Piano Quintet, Op. 81, with the Orion String Quartet, quintets by Henze and Brahms with the Guarneri String Quartet, Bach double and Triple keyboard concerti with András Schiff and Bruno Camino, and Quotation of Dream with Oliver Knussen and the London Sinfonietta, featuring Music of Takemitsu.

Peter Serkin is on the faculties of The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center. He lives in Massachusetts,with his wife Regina, and is the father of five children.

The November 25th concert takes place at 4:00 pm at the Wilton Congregational Church, just north of Wilton Center on Route 33. Non-subscribers to the Candlelight series may purchase tickets at the door one-half hour prior to performance for $25 ($20 for seniors, $10 for students). For more information on the series, or to subscribe, call 203-762-3401. The Candlelight Concerts series benefits the Wilton Library.