On Saturday, April 21st 2012, Robert Bowman performed to a rapt audience at the the Distinguished Artists Concert and Lecture Series in Abtos California. The piano is a fabulous Yamaha Concert Grand. This was one of Robert’s favorite recent concerts because he loved the instrument and because his was very happy with his performance. To here audio samples of this special event please visit the Audio page.

Robert Bowman performed works by Beethoven, Chopin and George Gershwin.

To download a PDF of the program Click Here.

Related show

• Artist: Robert E. Bowman
• Date: Saturday, April 21st 2012
• Time: 8:00pm
• City: Robert E. Bowman in Abtos
• Venue: The Distinguished Artists Concert and Lecture Series
• Address: 900 High Street
• Venue phone: (831) 688-1518 or (831) 539-0000
• Country: United States
• Admission: $25
• Notes: “Robert Bowman played the traditionally arranged Gershwin Preludes with emotional richness, vitality, and color.” Badische Neueste Nachrichten, Karlsruhe, Germany Open to the Public Suggested Donation: Children under 12, $5 Students $10 Seniors $20 General $25+
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The Carnival's In Town - Robert Bowman Featured Pianist

Dear music lovers,

I want to invite you to the Paradise Symphony Orchestra concert on Sunday, May 6th at 7 p.m. at the Paradise Performing Arts Center -777 Nunneley Road in Paradise.

Full details here.

I will be performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in a minor (last on the program) with the orchestra under the direction of Dr. Lloyd Roby. It is a piece I have wanted to perform all my life and finally have the opportunity to perform the work in its entirety. I did have the pleasure of performing the lst movement in 2008 in a transcription with the CSU, Chico Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Royce Tevis, but the piece really needs the strings in the 2nd and 3rd movements so there is no transcription for those movements.

I have loved the work all my life and literally wore out an old 78 recording of the Grieg performed by Artur Rubinstein when I was 5 or 6 years old. In the video “Rubinstein at 90”, Rubinstein tells the story of sitting next to Sergei Rachmaninoff at a dinner party and asking Rachmaninoff “what was his favorite concerto?” Rachmaninoff answered “the Grieg Concerto”, which is a real endorsement coming from a man who composed 4 magnificent piano concertos himself and the wonderful “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”. In analyzing the concerto, I found a passage in the 3rd movement that is a prototype for the ending of Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C# minor” and opening of the “2nd Piano Concerto.” No wonder he loved the Grieg.

Also featured on the program is Young Artist Competition Winner (youth division) Jonathan Culbreath performing the first movement of Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto”. Jonathan will be joined by his teacher, Justin McKay, in a performance of Camille St. Saens’ delightful “Carnival of the Animals”. Several years ago, I performed the work with Joyce Groshong and the Shasta Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Richard Fiske. Most people enjoyed the performance, however, one member of the audience wrote a scathing letter to Dr. Fiske complaining there were no “animals” on the stage. No kidding; this was for real. Some people have no imagination.

The remainder of the program will include Erik Satie’s Gynopedie #1 and Neruda’s “Trumpet Concerto” featuring the winner of the College Division, Chris Navarette.

It will be a delightful evening of wonderful music, and I hope that you are able to attend.

Musically yours,
Bob

Robert E. Bowman, DMA
Professor Emeritus, Music Department
CSU, Chico