October 2, 2009

Classical pianist Jeremy Denk celebrates Chopin in Loeb Playhouse performance

The performance, which will feature some of the most significant compositions of Frédéric Chopin in celebration of the composer's 200th birthday, is presented by Purdue Convocations.

Denk, a rising classical music star who has appeared with many of the country's major orchestras and collaborated with the world's finest string quartets, has steadily built a name as one of today's most compelling pianists. His unusually broad repertoire ranges from the standard works of the 18th and 19th centuries to 20th century masters - such as Ives, Ligeti, Lutoslawski and Messiaen - to new works by leading composers of today.

Also a talented writer, Denk maintains the widely read blog "Think Denk" (jeremydenk.net/blog), where he delves into detailed musical analyses and records otherwise unrelated experiences with, as the music critic of the New Yorker describes, "arresting sensitivity and wit."

Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at 765-496-1977.

In addition to his performance at Purdue, Denk will present a master class with the Tippecanoe Music Teachers Association at 5 p.m. Oct. 24 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 411 N. Seventh St., Lafayette. The master class is free and open to the public.

Initiated in 1902, Purdue Convocations is among the oldest collegiate professional performing arts presenters in the United States. Each year, Convocations offers the region 30-40 performances of widely varying genres: Broadway-style shows, theater, dance, children's theater, world music, jazz and chamber music, along with rock, pop, country and comedy attractions. With a vision for connecting artists and audiences in artistic dialogue and for drawing in academic discourse, Purdue Convocations aims to promote frequent exposure to, and familiarity with, human cultural expression in a multitude of forms and media.

Contact: Abby Eddy, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, aeeddy@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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