In a pre-performance lecture, “Hot off the Keyboard,” University of Southern Maine’s Dr. Laura Kargul dives deep into Montero’s repertoire to explore the ways some of the greatest classical composers were renowned for their improvisational skills at the keyboard. Works such as the Bach toccatas, Mozart variations, Chopin nocturnes and Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies often sound as though they were forged in the fire of a solo late-night jam session, perhaps under the influence of wine–or worse. When a pianist performs such works as if they were “transcribed improvisations,” listeners can experience the music as if it is being composed in the moment. Dr. Kargul, a pianist and Director of Keyboard Studies at the University of Southern Maine as well as a soloist and recording artist throughout Europe and the USA, will discuss and demonstrate how a pianist can make a work composed long ago sound
The pre-performance lecture takes place at Hannford Hall at USM’s Portland Campus.
For more information about Offstage activities, please call 207.773.3150 or email offstage@portlandovations.org.
