2014 Instrumentalist of the Year to perform at UMassDate: 10/24/2014 AMHERST – One of America’s most thought-provoking, multi-faceted, and compelling artists, pianist Jeremy Denk is the winner of a 2013 MacArthur Fellowship, the 2014 Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s 2014 Instrumentalist of the Year award.
He has appeared as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and London, and now brings his exquisite style and celebrated artistry to Amherst, for a show at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) in Bowker Auditorium. Denk will perform a diverse classical repertoire at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13.
Audience members are also invited to a pre-concert conversation with the artist, moderated by UMass Music Professor Nadine Shank, at 5 p.m. in the Amherst Room at the UMass Campus Center.
Denk is well-known for his performance of Bach’s renowned “Goldberg” Variations, described by the New York Times as “entrancing from the first notes of the famous Aria,” and “one of the best solo performances this year.” His program in Amherst will consist of selections from Schubert and Janácek, as well as Haydn’s Sonata in C major, Mozart’s Rondo in A minor, and Shumann’s Carnaval, op. 9. The Boston Globe writes that Denk’s performance of Schumann “crackled with energy.” This planned program shows Denk at his virtuosic best in every style.
In 2014-2015, Denk launches a four-season tenure as an Artistic Partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; makes debuts with the Cleveland Orchestra under Susanna Mälkki and the New York Philharmonic led by Esa-Pekka Salonen; appears as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony; and performs Bach concertos on tour with Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. The latter tour will bring Denk back to UMass with this legendary orchestra, for a performance in the UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on March 28.
In addition to his impressive touring background, Denk is also a highly successful recording artist – his 2013 album, “Bach: Goldberg Variations” reached number one on Billboard’s Classical Chart and was featured in “Best of 2013” lists by the New Yorker and New York Times. Denk is also known for his original and insightful writing on music, which has appeared in the New Yorker, the New Republic, The Guardian, and on the front page of the New York Times Book Review. His in-progress memoir will be published by Random House, and he recounts his experiences of touring, performing and practicing on his blog, Think Denk.
Tickets for Jeremy Denk at Bowker Auditorium are $30, $15; Five College, GCC and 17 and under $10. The pre-show conversation is free. For tickets call the Box Office at 545-2511, toll-free at 800-999-UMAS, or purchase online at fineartscenter.com. The Fine Arts Center’s season is sponsored by Baystate Health and Health New England, with additional event support coming from Applewood, NEPR 88.5 and Hotel UMass.
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