Leading American pianist Jonathan Biss returns to the Union College Concert Series after a five-year hiatus on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m.
The series welcomes back the pianist, who helped choose the Steinway piano for the College. The piano was a gift from trustee Kelly Williams '86 and her husband Andrew Forsyth.
Biss will highlight the instrument in a diverse program of Brahms’s Klavierstücke, Op. 119, selections from Kurtág’s Játékok, Chopin’s Nocturnes, Op. 62and Polonaise-fantaisie, Op. 61, and Beethoven’s Sonata in E Minor, Op. 90 and Sonata in C Major, Op. 53 ‘Waldstein.’
Appearing regularly with major orchestras around the world, Biss has solidified his place among the great pianists of his generation. Last month, he stepped in for legendary pianist Mitsuko Uchida (who canceled due to illness) in performances Beethoven’s Second and Third Concerti with the Cleveland Orchestra to great acclaim. Renowned for his interpretations of repertoire from Bach to Kirchner, he is in the midst of recording the complete 32 Beethoven Sonatas for the ONYX label, releasing the third volume this month.
Biss has an exclusive contract with Kindle, releasing two “Kindle Singles” on the music of Schumann and Beethoven – “A Pianist Under the Influence” and “Beethoven’s Shadow” respectively. In the fall of 2013, he also offered a series of lectures on Beethoven through Coursera in conjunction with the Curtis Institute of Music welcoming over 30,000 subscribers worldwide.
Individual tickets are $25 or $10 for students. Subscription packages offer significant savings. For information, call (518) 388-6080 or click here.