Événement

Larry Vuckovich: An Encore Solo Recital, presented by Gualala Arts

Gualala Arts presents Larry Vuckovich: An Encore Solo Recital on Saturday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. This pre-valentine's evening promises to be a special night of romantic piano classics that you will not want to miss, paired with roses, champagne and chocolates.

Vuckovich is known for his special sensitive piano touch and for his wide-ranging solo piano repertoire. Besides the romantic standard gems of George Gershwin, Harry Warren, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, he will include the classical-influenced compositions of Rodrigo and Dvok, arranged in his own creative jazz style.

It was Anton Dvok, the first major European symphonic composer to recognize the richness and originality of the American Negro spiritual, who incorporated these elements in his New World Symphony. Vuckovich will perform Dvok's theme from Slavonic Dances #22, which he used in his original Blue Bohemia Suite. Dvok is the first major composer to put the American Negro gospel elements on the international music map.

Vuckovich will also perform the music of another European composer, Joaquin Rodrigo. The second movement of his Concierto de Aranjuez, which was featured on Miles Davis' famous "Sketches of Spain" album.

Billy Strayhorn exhibited a strong French impressionistic influence; particularly in his "Passion Flower" and "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing," which Vuckovich will perform. Besides the music presentation, Vuckovich will engage in some story telling, giving brief anecdotes about various musicians and composers.

Pianist Larry Vuckovich graduated from San Francisco State University School of Creative Arts with a major in music. His principle piano teacher was the master Russian classical pianist Vladimir Brenner, who performed with Toscanini in the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are $18 advance, $5 more day of the concert, if available. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center, Dolphin Gallery or Four-Eyed Frog Books.