Key West The Newspaper

Solo pianist Michael Brown – declared a “piano visionary” by the New York Times – brings his youthful virtuosity to St. Paul’s Church on Sunday, February 8th, 4:00 pm in a performance presented by Impromptu Classical Concerts. Winner of the Julliard Concerto Competition, Michael Brown has performed with the Julliard Orchestra conducted by Alan Gilbert, the New York Philharmonic’s distinguished Music Director.

“I’m extremely excited to be coming to Key West to perform”, notes Brown. “It’s my first visit to your island and I’m delighted to present these pieces that are very dear to me.” Mr. Brown’s program is constructed around the concept of the “homage.” Each piece is in some way related to or inspired by another composer or work on the program.

For example, the program begins with three short selections by the great Baroque French composer François Couperin. These three pieces form a contrasting set showcasing Couperin’s ornate style. Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou les Maillotins features innovative keyboard writing such as cross-handed techniques.

Following Couperin is Ravel’s Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn which is a short minuet on Haydn’s name. This leads into Haydn’s G Major Sonata which is one of his piano sonatas in two movements. The first half concludes with Mr. Brown’s Homage to Copland which leads into Copland/arranged Bernstein: El Salon Mexico. 

The second half features another original composition by Michael Brown entitledConstellations and Toccata. Michael Brown explains: “The soft, lush, and repeating sonorities in Constellations  make up the music I envision for gazing at the night sky: music for hearts and eyes touched by the sheer visible beauty of stars on a clear night.”

He continues: “The Toccata’s  opening is all but still, with hushed rumblings that give way to louder, quirkier and more violent outbursts. Running sixteenth notes create a fast perpetual motion, generating a virtuosic flair that snaps the listener out of the spell of the nocturnal sky.”

The Toccata relates to the final work on the program, Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin,which concludes with a brilliant Toccata. With Le tombeau de Couperin, Ravel is writing in homage to Couperin, who’s music opened the program. Michael Brown’s well-conceived program is sure to please the Impromptu Classical Concerts audience.

Concert tickets are $20 at the door one hour before the performance, by calling:305.745.2283, or online: Keystix.com or classicalconcertskw.com. Season subscription pass (6 concerts) – $100. Subscription passes can be used for all concerts or for multiple guests at one or more concerts. All students free.

Contact: George Fontana   305.304.3203      [email protected]