All Explorations are in Miller Hall, World Forestry Center.

THE GAMES OF THE GHOSTS! – MARINO FORMENTI, JULY 17
Like Bartók's Mikrokosmos, Gyorgy Kurtág's Games for Piano is a delightful set of short and often playful pieces that typically explore a single compositional idea. Join Marino Formenti for a fun and engaging talk and performance as he draws connections between some of Kurtág's "games" and music of the past ("ghosts").

JAMMIN' TIGERS PAST AND PRESENT: EXPLORING PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES FROM MOZART TO RZEWSKI — ANTHONY DE MARE & STEVEN MAYER, JULY 18
In this workshop which accompanies their concert “Jammin' Tigers,” pianists Anthony de Mare and Steven Mayer demonstrate performance practices and extended techniques that have evolved from Mozart to very current trends in contemporary repertoire. Works by major composers along the historic grid of our rich piano repertoire will be featured.

IBERIA BY ISAAC ALBENIZ – ROBERT SCHWARTZ, JULY 18
For nearly a century, Isaac Albéniz has been universally acclaimed as the composer of the greatest work for piano to come out of Spain.  Yet most of his admirers still know very little about his colorful life and the significant role he played in turn-of-the-century music in Europe.  Schwartz performs selections from Iberia and presents a portrait of the composer whose remarkable career culminated in this evocative, complex and demanding work.

PIANO MUSIC OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA – WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN NYAHO, JULY 19
A fascinating survey of music by African composers, both those living in Africa and those now resident elsewhere in the world. The music includes a kaleidoscope of different styles, moods, genres, and colors. Nyaho will perform works influenced by the blues, jazz, and ragtime, and works built on exotic scales, African folk-tunes, and drumming rhythms.

LEARNING WITHOUT THE PIANO – FREDERIC CHIU, JULY 19
Frederic Chiu explains techniques for practicing away from the keyboard and demonstrates in real-time with audience members.  In a recent seminar at the New England Conservatory, Frederic taught a work by Schumann and had someone in the audience perform it from memory without ever having played it.  Yes, it's possible!

See Schedule for times and location.