Arranging a repertoire for a piano recital is, at times, much like a game of dominoes, one piece linked to another, then the next link and so on.
As pianist Alex Wasserman sees it, the works he chose for his upcoming program at An Die Musik fit together like pieces in an admiration puzzle.
The recital opens with Beethoven?s “Sonata Op. 31 No. 3.” Wasserman notes that the piece is filled with “sunshine and musical pranks [and] unexpected twists and turns.”
After that, the ball gets rolling.
“Liszt was a huge admirer of Beethoven,” said the 26-year-old Peabody student of his other choice, the “Sonata in B minor.” “Ravel drewfrom the virtuosity of Liszt?s writing and pushed it to the next level, with 20th century flair.”
That explains the inclusion of Ravel?s piece titled “Miroirs.” And by his own admission, Wasserman is lately on “a Ravel kick.”
Miroirs, he points out, deals with a collection of pieces, all linked by the abstract concept of reflection on the night.
Holding a master?s of music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Wasserman has performed in both the United States and Canada to critical acclaim.
He is an active chamber musician as well as an orchestral soloist.
At Peabody, he is furthering his piano studies under the tutelage of Yong Hi Moon. He views his studies as a very personal choice, saying he will know when it is time to move on.
“Alex is one of the most intelligent students I have come across,” said Moon. “I see him performing as well as teaching. But also giving lectures in musicology.”
Lecturing and teaching are all within the scope of future possibilities for Wasserman as he pursues a musical doctorate degree.
“I feel I have so much to offer,” he said. “I love teaching [but] I wouldn?t lose sight of the fact that I?m a piano player first.”
Indeed, he looks forward to a lifetime of performing, especially Liszt, calling the Sonata “an opera for the piano.”
Michael Finlay, Wasserman?s friend from the Cleveland Institute, commented on Wasserman?s resolve, observing that “he is among the most driven and dedicated pianists known to me.”
IF YOU GO
Alexander Wasserman
» Venue: An die Musik LIVE!, 409 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 410-385-2638
» Time: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
» Tickets: $10, $8 students and seniors
