International Concert Pianist, Chair of the University of Arizona Piano Department and Co-director of the Chautauqua Summer Piano Institute, John Milbauer to present a recital, a master class and a talk in Whalen this coming Sunday, December 8th, 2019.
Dr. Milbauer's 1:00 pm recital in Whalen's Hockett Family Recital Hall will feature an eclectic program of traditional selections (by Bach and Chopin) alongside several new piano works written by prominent composers in the 21 century (with loads of fascinating new sounds and experimental techniques for the instrument). Later that day, during the 6:00 pm hour (also in Hockett), he will lead a master class of standard repertory performed by some of IC’s best piano performance majors followed by a brief talk (10-15 minutes) and a Q & A session on the topic: “What the Arts Can Learn from Global Development Theories”.
Both events are free and open to the public. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Erik Kibelsbeck at ekibelsbeck@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-3717. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
Steinway Artist John Milbauer has recently performed in China, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and Japan as well as throughout the United States. Highlights of the past two seasons include Ravel's Concerto in G with the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart in Boston's Symphony Hall, Poulenc's Aubade with San Diego Winds, recitals with Stephanie Houtzel of the Vienna State Opera, residencies with the Conservatorios Nacionales Superiores of Sevilla and Jaén in Spain, and a tour of major cities in China. Current projects include performances of Milbauer's "Which Side Are You On?" program based on themes of protest, immigration, and workers' rights. A 2017 review in Sevilla said “this extraordinary program makes you discover that music reminds us that we all can be refugees, exiles, and immigrants…and John Milbauer says this through the keys of the piano.” France's Republique du Centre has called him "a virtuoso of the first magnitude" while American Record Guide awarded him a 2014 Critic's Choice—top 10% of reviews for the year—writing, "Milbauer employs a full expressive range, performs with astounding delicacy, and conveys unspeakable wonder through an intimate touch and astonishing versatility." A laureate of the Orléans Concours in France for piano music of the 20th Century, he has performed concerts devoted only to chance music and enjoys playing music that employs electronic sounds, prepared piano, extended techniques, and graphic notation; in a similar vein, he has contributed a chapter on the performance of the music of John Cage to The Pianist's Craft series. A versatile musician, Milbauer has performed with the Mills Brothers and Pink Martini.
Milbauer studied music, classics, and government at Harvard College before earning degrees from the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and, as recipient of a Fulbright grant, the Liszt Academy in Budapest. He was awarded the Eastman Performer's Certificate (the highest performance honor of the school) and the Wolodarsky Prize from the Banff Centre. His teachers include Jerome Lowenthal, Ferenc Rados, György Sebök, Joan Moffat, and Rebecca Penneys. Since 2012 he has been Co-Chair of the Chautauqua Institution Piano Program, helping to transform it into one of the premiere summer piano programs in the Americas.
Milbauer was awarded a John F. Kennedy Fellowship from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to pursue a Master in Public Administration degree in 2019-20, where he is examining the intersection of the arts and public good.
"Crystal-clear Mozart with exemplary ornamentation…Milbauer displayed his musical sovereignty in Ravel's Tombeau…a master of agogic and rhythm, and one hopes for his return."
—Walliser Zeitung, Switzerland
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20191205110132691