PROGRAM

Prelude and Fugue in F Major (WTC II), Prelude and Fugue in F Minor (WTC II)—J. S. Bach
The Perseids (World Premiere)—Russell Steinberg
Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, op. 2 #1—Ludwig van Beethoven
Allegro, Adagio, Minuetto: Allegretto, Prestissimo

Admission—$10—Click To Reserve Your Space
Free for Russell’s Classical Consortium Members

I’m eager to perform and discuss some music I care deeply about. The Bach preludes and fugues in F major and F minor from the second volume of the Well Tempered Clavier make a fascinating pair. The F major has a flowing endless stream of 16th notes over a rich and complex progression of harmonies, all preceding one of Bach’s most joyous fugues. The F minor prelude sounds to our ears today quite similar to a Brahms intermezzo! And the fugue has all the drama of a Beethoven sonata. Speaking of which, I will play Beethoven’s first sonata (also in F minor) and discuss how it generates ideas that Beethoven would continue developing the rest of his career. Sandwiched between the Bach and Beethoven is my new piece inspired by the spectacular Perseids meteor shower we experience each August. The piece is an extended nocturne that sounds the piano’s widest registers that contrast meteoric streaks and energy with a gentle nostalgia.