Cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Jeremy Denk to perform at Oberlin College on February 5

OBERLIN, OHIO — Called “kindred spirits” by the New York Times, cellist Steven Isserlis (OC ’80) and pianist Jeremy Denk (OC ’90) will perform on Oberlin College’s Artist Recital Series on Tuesday, February 5. The duo will present an unforgettable evening of works by Hahn, Fauré, Ades, Saint-Saëns, and Franck. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. in Finney Chapel.

Uniting Isserlis’ “staggering technical prowess, and a beautiful, ingratiating sound” (The Record) with Denk’s “broad tastes and personable virtuosity” (New York Times), the long-time collaborators are known for presenting compelling programs to sold out audiences nationwide. The acclaimed soloists have also been critically praised as writers, most notably for Denk’s widely read blog titled “Think Denk,” and Isserlis’ books for children on the lives of famous composers, which have been translated into many languages.

About Steven Isserlis
Lauded by critics for his creative and performance-driven musical prowess, “Isserlis can turn a single note into a smile or a lament” (Guardian). He enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist, appearing with many of the leading orchestras in North America and Europe, and in collaborations with artists such as Joshua Bell, Tabea Zimmermann, and Stephen Hough.

An impassioned educator, Isserlis presents a series of children’s concerts at the 92nd Street Y and gives frequent master classes around the world. For the past 15 years he has been Artistic Director of the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove in Cornwall.

Renown for his authentic performances as well as for his advocacy of new music, Isserlis’ diverse interests are reflected in his award-winning discography. His recording of the complete Solo Cello Suites by J. S. Bach for Hyperion met with the highest critical acclaim, and was Gramophone’s Instrumental Disc of the Year and Critic’s Choice at the Classical Brits.  Other recent releases include an all-Schumann disc for Hyperion with Dénes Várjon;  reVisions, a recording of works for cello and chamber orchestra for BIS; and a recital disc for Hyperion with Thomas Adès, including the premiere recording of the latter's Lieux retrouvés.

About Jeremy Denk
“A pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs,” (New York Times) Jeremy Denk has steadily built a reputation as an unusual and compelling artist, with a broad and thought-provoking repertoire.

Distinguished as both a soloist and a chamber musician, Denk has appeared with numerous orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and London. He regularly gives recitals in New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, and throughout the United States. This season he makes solo appearances in venues including Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium and London’s Wigmore Hall.

Denk is known for his witty and insightful musical criticism, much of which can be found on his blog entitled “Think Denk.” He has written articles for the New York Times Book Review, Newsweek, and the website of NPR Music. Alex Ross of the New Yorker calls him “a superb musician who writes with arresting sensitivity … sophisticated on the one hand, informal on the other, immediate in impact.”

In 2012, Denk released an album under Nonesuch featuring Ligeti’s famously complex Etudes and Beethoven’s last Piano Sonata. Its success earned it a feature on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, while BBC Music hailed it as nothing short of “a marvel.”

Fact Sheet
Tuesday, February 5, 8 p.m.
Steven Isserlis ’80, cello & Jeremy Denk ’90, piano
Finney Chapel, 90 North Professor Street
Oberlin, OH 44074

Tickets: $42 Public, $37 Seniors/OC Staff & Faculty, $15 Students
All tickets $3 or more at the door.

Tickets can be purchased through Oberlin’s Central Ticketing Service at 800-371-0178 or online at www.oberlin.edu/arseries.

Program
Reynaldo Hahn: Variations Chantantes
Fauré: Sonata No. 2
Adès: Lieux Retrouves
Saint-Saëns: Romanza (from Sonata No. 2)
Franck: Sonata