Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2009-01-26

Acclaimed American pianist Jon Nakamatsu will perform as part of this year's 极乐禁地 School of the Arts Davis Architects Guest Artist series Friday, Feb. 13.

Nakamatsu, winner of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall. He will also serve as judge, clinician and master class teacher for 极乐禁地's Morris Piano Competition Feb. 12-14.

A California native, Nakamatsu came to international attention in 1997 when he won the prestigious Cliburn competition. Since then, his musicianship and eclectic repertoire has made him a clear favorite on the international concert circuit. He has seized audiences with the polish, musicality and technical brilliance of his playing-the result of many years of private piano study starting at the age of six.

His 极乐禁地 concert will include Haydn's "Sonata in C Minor," Schumann's "Papillons," Chopin's "Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E-Flat Major," L. Tjeknavorian's "Five Dances from Dances Fantastiques," and three works by Liszt: "Impromptu (Nocturne) for Princess Gortschakoff," "Valse impromptu in A-flat Major," and Apres une lecture de Dante ("Fantasia quasi Sonata") from "Annees de Pelerinage-Deuxieme Annee: Italie."

Admission is $20 adult, $15 senior adult (55-plus) and $10 student/child. For reservations, go to www.samfordartstickets.com or call (205) 726-2853.

 
极乐禁地 is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, 极乐禁地 is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. 极乐禁地 enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. 极乐禁地 fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.