Awadagin Pratt, Piano
Sponsored by Zenph Studios

Awadagin Pratt

DATE: March 26 2006, 3 PM

SITE: The Progress Energy (formerly BTI) Center for the Performing Arts   Map 

PROGRAM

  • Haydn: Sonata in Bb Major, Hob. XVI: 41
  • Beethoven: Sonata in E, Op. 14, No. 1; Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110

    • Intermission

  • Chopin: Nocturne in B, Op. 62, No. 1
  • Franck: Prelude, Fugue and Variation, Op. 18 (transcribed by Harold Bauer)
  • Rachmaninov: Moment Musical in B minor, Op. 16, No. 3; Prelude No. 10 in B minor, Op 32; Prelude No. 12 in G-sharp minor, Op. 32
  • J.S. Bach/Busoni: Chaconne (From The Partita No. 2 in D minor for Violin BWV 1004)

    • Awadagin Pratt is an artist who challenges the classical music establishment and fans alike, forcing them to rethink the way the music is perceived and heard. When Pratt bounded on stage for his winning presentation at the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1992, his appearance caused a buzz, but by the end of his performance, he had won over the judges and audience, and rave reviews have been coming in ever since.

    Throughout his childhood, Awadagin (ah-wah-DAH-jin) Pratt devoted his time to piano, violin and tennis but eventually determined music to be his passion as he began college at age 16 at the University of Illinois. He then transferred to the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he was the first student to receive a performer's certificate in piano and violin as well as a graduate performance diploma in conducting. His win at the Naumburg Competition, where he was the first African-American classical instrumentalist to win first prize, skyrocketed his career and over the next few years he gave over 100 recitals including concerts in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

    In 1994 he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant and also released his debut CD A Long Way From Normal, followed by Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Live From South Africa and Transformations. He also played piano on Terence Blanchard's soundtrack for The Caveman's Valentine, a film about a mentally ill classical pianist. He has performed worldwide in Japan, Germany, South Africa, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and Poland, as well as with the major symphony orchestras in the U.S. He has also performed on NPR's Performance Today and Weekend Edition, the Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America and Sesame Street. He was a featured soloist on PBS's Live from Kennedy Center - A Salute to Slava and performed twice at the White House during the Clinton administration including the State Dinner for South African president Thabo Mbeki.

    Mr. Pratt is artistic director of the Next Generation Festival and an advocate of arts education, actively participating in outreach activities involving master classes, recitals, demonstrations and talk back session for students of all ages. Increasingly active as a conductor, he has conducted the Toledo, New Mexico, Winston-Salem, Santa Fe and Prince George County symphonies.

    Mr. Pratt is currently an Assistant Professor of Piano and Artist-in-Residence at College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati.

    Artist Website: www.awadagin.com