Dr. Valerie Cisler
professor and chair, Department of Music and Performing Arts, 308.865.8118
Dr. Malcolm Bilson, an internationally recognized leader in the study and performance of classic repertoire for the forte-piano, which is the 18th century version of the piano, will lecture and lead a master class at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Wednesday (Oct. 7).
Beginning at 1 p.m. in the Miriam Drake Theatre, Dr. Bilson will present a lecture titled, “Reading Beethoven: The Case of the Elusive Quarter Note.” He will then present master class from 2-4 p.m. in which three UNK students, who are piano majors, will perform piano literature. He will work with each student in a public forum. Both events are free and open to all students, faculty/staff, Kearney community members and area piano teachers.
UNK student performers selected to perform include: Michelle Leigh of Kearney, performing J.S. Bach’s “Gigue” from the Partita No.1 in Bb major; Maiko Sugahara of Japan, performing the first movement of W.A. Mozart’s Piano Sonata in D major; and Ayae Mori of Japan, performing the first movement of F.J. Haydn’s Piano Sonata in Eb.
Dr. Bilson has been an active member of the Cornell Department of Music in Ithaca, N.Y., where he began in the early 1970s as a performer of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. He currently serves as the Frederick J. Whiton Professor of Music and teaches piano to both graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Bilson is also a professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. In the summer, he presents forte-piano workshops, master classes and lectures around the world.
According to Dr. Valerie Cisler, chair and professor, UNK Department of Music and Performing Arts, Dr. Bilson is highly sought after as a performer and lecturing scholar. He is also recognized as an outstanding teacher.
“Audience members will gain insight into current performance practices as researched and performed by our guest artist,” Dr. Cisler said.
In addition to his career as a soloist, he has toured with the English Baroque Soloists with John Eliot Gardiner, the Academy of Ancient Music with Christopher Hogwood, the Philharmonia Baroque under Nicholas McGegan, and other early and modern instrument orchestras around the world.
Among his honors is an honorary doctorate from Bard College, and he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
For more information, contact Dr. Cisler at 308.865.8618.
