Richard C. Alston
Anton Stepanovich Arensky:
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 2
Twelve Etudes for Piano, Op. 74
Richard Alston, piano
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Paul Freeman, conductor
Centaur Records CRC 2307 (1992)
Susan Fadem forwards a biography of pianist Richard C. Alston, who has been featured many times at AfriClassical:
Richard Alston, pianist, has appeared in recitals and
performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout the
United States and Europe. A native of East Orange,
New Jersey, he received his Bachelor and Master of
Music Degrees from the Juilliard School of Music in
New York City.
A child prodigy, Alston received a standing ovation at
the Brevard Festival for his performance of the
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 at age 15, and made
his New York debut performing with the Symphony of
the New World, under the direction of Everett Lee at
Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall at the age of 17.
Over the years he has performed at the Weill Recital
Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City, as well as an
outstanding portrayal of Jasbo Brown in the
Metropolitan Opera revival of Porgy and Bess. He
reprised that character portrayal in the historic
production by the New Jersey State Opera. Richard has
performed the concert/lecture “Classically Black: Piano
Compositions by Composers of African Descent” at
colleges and universities throughout the United States,
and PBS produced a documentary on his career.
The renowned Maestro, Paul Freeman, invited Richard
to Europe to record Anton Arensky's Piano Concerto with
the Czech National Orchestra. The CD recording, which
also included “Etudes for Piano Op.74” by Arensky, has
been released by Centaur Records and is available on
Amazon.com. Prof. Alston is the recipient of several
awards, including the Award for Excellence from the
New Jersey Education Association; the “Community
Leaders Fostering Change in Education Award” from the
New Jersey Unit of the National Association of Negro
Business and Women’s Clubs, Inc.; the Achievement
Award by the National Association of Negro Women;
Musician of the Year from the National Association of
Negro Musicians Inc. Newark, N.J. Chapter; special
Proclamation from the office of the mayor of the city of
East Orange; honored by The Newark Municipal Council,
City of Newark, N.J., and honored by the Historical
Society of East Orange, NJ Inc.
Richard Alston is presently Associate Professor and
the Coordinator of Essex County College’s Performing
Arts Department and Minister of Music at Trinity
Presbyterian Church in Montclair, N.J. He is the
producer and host of the cable television show
"Performing Arts Showcase."
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