Evolution of The Sonata

Five Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti

1. Sonata in E Major K. 135

2. Sonata in B Minor K. 87

3. Sonata in G Major K. 55

4. Sonata in E Major  K. 380

5. Sonata in G Major K. 455

Sonata in C Major K. 330 - W.A. Mozart

- Allegro moderato

- Andante cantible

- Allegretto

Intermission

Sonata Op. 57, No. 23 in F Minor ("Appassionata")

- Allegro assai

- Andante con moto

- Allegro ma non troppo

Sonata No. 3 in A minor (from "Old Notebooks) - Sergei Prokofiev

I'm thrilled to present a live-streamed concert celebrating Baroque Music written for the keyboard! The interesting aspect of this concert is that all pieces were ORIGINALLY written for the harpsichord, however, over the years each piece has been performed and celebrated on different keyboard instruments including the organ, piano, and harpsichord. I wanted to make this a central theme as it is rare that compositions are equally suited on multiple instruments, yet communicate the same artistic vision.

I invite you to join us live on YouTube or Facebook

Kevin is thrilled to present his 2020 Recital Series performed in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.  Kevin has selected iconic works from composers who shaped the Baroque, Classical and Romantic Eras of solo piano literature.  We will begin the performance with J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto, a composition which typically is written for a solo performer and orchestra.  However through only changes in texture and voicing Bach gives the effect of a solo instrument playing with a larger ensemble all in one clavier instrument.  What follows is an incredibly emotional piece and one of Beethoven's most famous piano sonatas - "Appassionata" Sonata No. 23 in F minor.  This piece is considered by many to be one of his three great piano sonatas from the middle creation period - Waldenstein, Les Adieux and Appassionata.  Concluding the evening will be four iconic works from the master of the Romantic Era - Frederic Chopin.  Two contrasting styles of Etudes from Opus 25 will illustrate how Chopin brought artistry and drama to what were traditionally dexterity exercises for piano students.  The next work, and perhaps the piece closest to his heart is Chopin's Ballade No.1  in G minor.  The historical Ballad tells a story in verse with or without music, however with Chopin's masterpiece it is a musical composition for solo piano that tells a story in purely musical terms.  The evening's finale will be Chopin's majestic Barcarolle in F# Major.  Composed only three years prior to his death, the Barcarolle features a sweepingly romantic and slightly wistful tone.  Artur Bielecki of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute once wrote - 

"The Barcarolle, Op. 60 is a grand, expansive work from the late period in the oeuvre of Fryderyk Chopin.  Chopin refers in this work to the convention of the barcarola - a song of the Venetian gondoliers which inspired many outstanding composers of the nineteenth century, including Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Liszt and Faure.  Yet it is hard to find a barcarolle that would compare with Chopin's work for beauty and compositional artistry."