Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Awadagin Pratt Plays Mozart With Grand Rapids Symphony Feb. 20 & 21, 2009

[Awadagin Pratt: Beethoven Piano Sonatas, EMI 55290 (1996)] 

At 8:00 PM Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, pianist Awadagin Pratt will join the Grand Rapids Symphony at DeVos Hall in a program of W. A. Mozart, Gustav Holst and Richard Danielpour. “Plus, guest pianist Awadagin Pratt expresses his moving musical language in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23."

“Born in Pittsburgh, Awadagin Pratt began studying piano at the age of six. Three years later, having moved to Normal, Illinois with his family, he also began studying violin. At the age of 16, he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin, and conducting. He subsequently enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he became the first student in the school's history to receive diplomas in three performance areas - piano, violin and conducting.

In 1992 Mr. Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded a 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has played numerous recitals throughout the U.S. including performances in New York at Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Chicago at Orchestra Hall.” “In September, 1993 Mr. Pratt signed an exclusive recording contract with Angel/EMI. His debut album, A Long Way From Normal, was released in 1994. Subsequent recital discs include an all Beethoven Sonata CD, Live from South Africa and Transformations. His most recent Angel/EMI recording is an all Bach disc with the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Mr. Pratt is currently an Associate Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.”

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