Renowned pianist Jeffrey Siegel will launch his 10th Anniversary of Keyboard Conversations performances on Northwestern University's Evanston campus and his 35th Anniversary Season of presenting concerts on the North Shore.
Siegel's 2005-06 series begins Sept. 30. All four programs this season will be held at 7:30 p.m. on a Friday, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus.
This winter also marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, which served as the inspiration for the 2005-06 season's programming. Each of the four Keyboard Conversations programs will include a major work by Mozart as well as compositions by other top composers whom he inspired.
Keyboard Conversations are a unique concert format wherein Siegel speaks briefly and informally to the audience with his signature wit before performing each composition on the piano. His commentary is meant to make the music more accessible and the listening experience more focused and meaningful. The concerts also conclude with a brief question and answer session.
Siegel's first 2005-06 Keyboard Conversations program on Sept. 30, "Mozart and Beethoven: Passion and Pathos," will include Mozart’s sonata in a minor and Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique.
The Dec. 9 program, "Mozart and Schubert: Romantic Fantasies," will feature Mozart’s Fantasy in d minor and Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy.
The Feb. 17 concert, "Mozart and Chopin: Virtuoso Variations," will include Mozart's Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Chopin's Variations on a Popular Song.
On May 5, the "Mozart and Ravel: Exhilaration and Eloquence" concert includes Mozart’s Trumpeter Sonata and a rarely-heard arrangement of Ravel's La Valse for the piano.
Siegel has been a piano soloist with some of the world's leading orchestras and has performed with many eminent conductors in addition to conducting himself. His Keyboard Conversations series is presented in numerous American cities where he has developed loyal fan bases.
Single tickets for each concert are $23 for the general public; $21 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $16 for full-time students.