What is more thrilling than hearing a virtuoso pianist with a live orchestra? The orchestra unleashes exciting new possibilities in the keyboard. Heroic cadenzas. Tender passages that make us weep. Swells of overwhelming color, harmony, and melody that make our hearts burst. Those of us lucky to have heard concerts with Rubinstein, Horowitz, Arrau, Argerich, and so many other great pianists, count those among our most treasured memories.

This series explores beloved piano concertos from Mozart to Prokofiev in 9 Zoom sessions, all with piano demonstrations, recordings, and spirited discussion. We’ll discuss the implications of “the one vs. the many” and whether the genre invites conjunction or confrontation (the word concerto stems from the Latin concertare which means to contend or battle). We’ll learn the structural reasons for why the first movements of concertos are so darn long. We’ll experience moments of magic and transcendence in the intermingling of solo keyboard and orchestral colors. This interactive series on ZOOM requires only your curiosity and enthusiasm. No previous musical knowledge necessary.

1. FEBRUARY 1
Introduction and Overview of the Piano Concerto
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major

2. FEBRUARY 8
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor

3. FEBRUARY 15
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor

4. FEBRUARY 22
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Minor

5. MARCH 1
Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor

MARCH 8 NO SESSION

6.  MARCH 15
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Major

7.  March 22
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor

8. March 29
Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand
Ravel Concerto in G

9. APRIL 5
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major