Beyond the Notes: The Diabolical Piano

Enter a fantastical world of mystery through some of the most diabolical works ever written for the piano! Journey through the music of seduction, spirits, and the supernatural with Boyer graduate student Nam Hoang Nguyen as he tackles some of the most difficult music ever composed for piano, starting with Franz Liszt’s first Mephisto Waltz, inspired by the Faust tale. American composer Henry Cowell pioneered the use of extended piano techniques that, in this case, mimic the sound of a screaming banshee, while fellow American William Bolcom’s piano suite The Garden of Eden depicts the devilish snake that tempted Eve with the apple. Sergei Prokofiev’s Four Pieces for Piano ends with the “suggestion” of something diabolical, and Maurice Ravel’s fiendishly difficult Gaspard de la nuit features various supernatural figures including a murderous water nymph and a mischievous goblin. Join us…if you dare!

Repertoire:

Franz Liszt – Mephisto Waltz No. 1

Henry Cowell – The Banshee

William Bolcom – The Serpent’s Kiss (from The Garden of Eden)

Sergei Prokofiev – Suggestion Diabolique, Op. 4 No. 4

Maurice Ravel – Gaspard de la Nuit

Light refreshments served. Boyer recital credit given.

Photo by Michael Shingo Crawford.