Drew Petersen: Mozart, Liszt, Adams, Wang Jie

PROGRAM

W. A. MOZART- Sonata in C major, KV 330
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante cantabile
III. Allegretto

WANG JIE- Memories of That First Summer

JOHN ADAMS- Phrygian Gates

-intermission-

F. LISZT- Trois Etudes de Concert, S. 144
I. Il Lamento
II. La Leggierezza
III. Un Sospiro

F. LISZT- Réminiscences de Don Juan (after Mozart), S. 418

NOTE FROM ARTIST
While the artistic voices presented in this recital are wide-ranging, I see these works responding to the same theme: personal identity through periods of transformation. The works of Wang Jie and John Adams are self-identified as "Opus 1” — their first successful compositional statements which mark an emergence of their artistic voices. Liszt’s Don Juan is a musical transformation, and sublimation, of several notable themes from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni". Liszt's own performances of this fantastical reimagining for solo piano popularized the original opera throughout Europe. In contrast to the incandescence of Don Juan, the Etudes reveal a more introverted side of Liszt’s artistry. At the time they were composed, Liszt was contemplating retirement from the concert stage. His newly-discovered romance and deep intellectual and spiritual connection with Princess Carolyne von Sayn-Wittgenstein might have offered additional inspiration. Regardless of their genesis, I marvel at these etudes’ depth of expression and their expansive use of the piano. Nevertheless, no greater marvel might have appeared throughout the western classical tradition than Mozart, whose music effortlessly integrates dynamism and poise in service of the full range of human expression. This C major sonata is exemplary of his communicative genius.