Pianist Jeremy Denk to perform April 6

American classical pianist Jeremy Denk will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, April 6, in Skidmore's Arthur Zankel Music Center. The concert, part of the college's Sterne Virtuoso Series, will feature Mozart's Sonata in C minor, K. 457; Liszt's Prelude from "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen"; Liget's "Etudes," Book 1; Brahms' "Six Pieces," Op. 118; and Liszt's "Dante" Sonata.

Denk has steadily built a reputation as one of today's most compelling and persuasive artists with an unusually broad repertoire. He graduated from Oberlin College, having completed a double major in piano performance and chemistry. In a 2010 interview with The New York Times, Denk said, "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go to Oberlin and wanted the liberal arts. Obviously I really get intense pleasure out of drawing connections between pieces and poems and literature and ideas."Denk earned a master's degree in music from Indiana University as a pupil of Gyrgy Seb k, and a doctorate in piano performance from the Juilliard School, where he worked with Herbert Stessin. 

Denk is an avid chamber musician and has collaborated with many of the world's finest string quartets. He has appeared at the Italian and American Spoleto Festivals, the Santa Fe and Seattle Chamber Music Festivals, the Verbier and Mostly Mozart Festivals, and the Bravo!-Vail Valley and Bard Music Festivals. Additionally, Denk has appeared as a soloist with many major orchestras, including the Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New World, St. Louis, and San Francisco symphonies, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and London Philharmonia.

The  New York Times describes Denk's playing as "bracing, effortlessly virtuosic, and utterly joyous." Reviewers frequently comment on the freshness and originality of his musical interpretations.

The artist's widely read blog, "Think Denk," is highly praised and frequently referenced by many in the music press and industry. Denk writes about some of his touring, practicing, and otherwise unrelated experiences, and delves into fairly detailed musical analyses and essays.

In mid-March, Denk discussed and performed elements of Bach's Goldberg Variations for "Goldberg Week" on National Public Radio. Click here to read the story and view accompanying video content. 

Admission for the April 6, 8 p.m. Jeremy Denk performance is free for Skidmore students, $7 adults, and $5 seniors. For advance reservations click here or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-8381 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please click here.