Pianist Tzu-yi Chen Returns to Museum Today (10/6) for Lunch Music

Tzu-yi Chen at the museum on September 29, 2011.

Today at the museum, pianist Tzu-yi Chen from Taiwan via Paris; Germany; and Columbus, Georgia, will return for the second week in a row to perform a new program of Beethoven, Liszt and Prokofiev.

You may have read on an Auburn news release that it was going to be Alina Sarkisyan, also a Columbus State student. She will get here, and I can't wait, but unavoidable things occur, as they say, and we had to make this change.

Tzu-yi performed during the mixed recital last week that also featured a too-short performance by the AU Chamber Choir and AU student pianist Julia Tucker who will return next week with others for a big Liszt Feszt (made that up) preview concert. The real Liszt Feszt will be at Goodwin Hall on October 25 (event page).

Tzu-yi was something really special. I don't recall ever hearing Beethoven (32 Variations in C minor) played so deeply. I really heard Ludwig on a level I rarely hear any composer. She spoke to me afterward of the depth of Beethoven's struggle in life, and how his music reflects that. She'll do another of his works, Sonata No. 15 in D major, today, along with Liszt's Après une Lecture de Dante (pretty sure that's what Dr. Samolesky played last February) and Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 6. Not light fare. The café, on the other hand...

Here's a detailed schedule for the series that I keep updated as things change. Be a sponsor! It's awesome.