Join us for a Blair Master Series world premiere of "Ways of Seeing," a commissioned work by acclaimed composer Christopher Theofanidis, who will be on hand for the event. Performers will include Blair professors Heather Conner, piano; Ji Hye Jung and Lee Vinson, percussion; joined by pianist Caleb Harris. Thursday, February 29, 8:00 p.m., in Turner Hall.
“We are thrilled to be the first to perform this piece that was composed for Blair,” said Jung, who leads the Blair percussion studio. “Having Christopher Theofanidis here to celebrate with us will make this is a very special evening.”
“’Ways of Seeing’ was composed by Christopher based on the dreams of his girlfriend, who is a poet,” said Conner. “The titles of some of the movements are based on a visit they took to the Salvador Dali Museum in Florida.”
Christopher Theofanidis’ works have been performed by leading orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the Moscow Soloists, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others. A two-time Grammy nominee, his orchestral composition Rainbow Body is one of the most-performed new works of the new millennium, with more than 150 performances around the world. Theofanidis holds degrees from Yale, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Houston.
The program will open with Béla Bartók’s seminal Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz. 110. “Written in 1937, it was groundbreaking at the time because it was really the first time that he tried to make the piano match the percussion,” notes Conner. “The piece exploits the percussive capabilities of the piano while also having a beautiful, lyrical slow movement. It’s a difficult work to perform and not often undertaken at a high level.”
This is a free event with tickets required for admission.
View the program
Admission is free with tickets required. Doors to Turner Hall will open 15 minutes prior to show start. Late seating will be at artist discretion.
Venue: Turner Hall, Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
Address: 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212
Parking: Free parking is available at the Vanderbilt West Parking Garage on Childrens Way, directly across from Blair School of Music. Due to construction on 25th Ave. South, enter the West Garage on 24th Ave. South.
About the composer, Christopher Theofanidis:
Works by acclaimed composer Christopher Theofanidis have been performed by leading orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the Moscow Soloists, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others. A two-time Grammy nominee, his orchestral work Rainbow Body is one of the most-performed new works of the new millennium, with more than 150 performances around the world. Theofanidis holds degrees from Yale, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Houston.