Pianist and guest artist Conrad Tao visited Kent State Sunday night for a concert titled “Book of Flowers,” hosted by the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.
The event launched the Kent Keyboard Series directed by professor and pianist Donna Lee. From 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., Tao filled Ludwig Recital Hall with the sounds and emotions of faculty composer Adam Roberts’ collection of solo piano miniatures, “Book of Flowers.” He then played Claude Debussy’s “Études.”
“Conrad Tao is one of the leading musicians in our generation, and it’s just so fantastic to be able to witness his greatness in this intimate space,” Lee said.
The event opened with Lee and Roberts addressing the audience, and Roberts giving the backstory of his work.
His collection of 16 character pieces for piano aimed to be a balance between brutal and meditative music, he said. He wrote it trying to capture these energies in short spaces.
“While imagining these pieces, I often felt I was catching a fleeting sensation before it vanished, following it for a time, and then letting it go,” Roberts said in the event’s program notes.
While introducing Tao, Roberts noted that he was a great inspiration during his composing process.
“Conrad is an incredibly inspiring artist who is really responsible in many ways for these pieces existing,” he said. “Being able to write for someone who I knew was able to interpret my music and play it with ideas and colors was hugely inspirational.”
Tao is an American composer and pianist who has been recognized for his musicality since his childhood. New York Magazine cited Tao as “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music.”
The concert began with the first piece in “Book of Flowers,” “Points of Departure.” Roberts said the first five pieces were a sort of meditation. As Tao began playing, he held one long note that descended into the piece.
As Tao played through the collection, the audience was silent. Some sat with their eyes closed, consuming the music, and others were at the edge of their seats, nodding along with the sounds.
Tao at times leaned over the piano, playing vigorously, sometimes standing to hit a note at just the right angle. He breathed in time with the music, at times barely tapping the keys, and at others, pounding them.
As Roberts described at the show’s beginning, the collection moved into cathartic and climactic pieces and then reached a calm point.
“‘Shavasana’ [the sixth piece] is like the end of a yoga practice, becoming one with existence and doing nothing,” Roberts said.
The collection gained speed again, and Roberts said he made it to be playful. It reached more climaxes and slow points and ended with “Final Declamation,” a mix of both varieties.
“I thought the performer was magnificent, just magnificent,” said Bonnie Hawk, an attendee and retired English professor. “I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anything quite like it. Such a virtuoso, I was just so impressed from start to finish.”
“Book of Flowers” lasted around an hour, and Tao ended the concert with “Études,” lasting about 40 minutes.
Attendee and once illustration professor Craig Russell said he has been listening to classical music since he was in kindergarten. He came to the concert with a friend.
“Incredible virtuosity, watching that man play,” Russell said. “Music, I think, becomes a lot more clear and understandable, at least on a first listen, when you are watching it being made … It brings it to life a lot easier.”
Lee said the concert drew about 100 people, which she said was a very enthusiastic crowd. Soon celebrating 25 years at KSU, Lee said it is fulfilling to host great artists like Tao.
“It goes by when I can put on events such as this,” Lee said. “It very much has us celebrating great artists, great music and sharing it with our students and our community.”
Lauren Cohen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
