Pressler Performs as JMU Receives 'All-Steinway School' Honor
News
Menahem Pressler, one of the world's most distinguished and honored musicians, will captivate audiences with a performance Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Forbes Center Concert Hall. Pressler will perform the music of Beethoven, Schubert and Debussy as part of the "All-Steinway School Dedication Concert" at James Madison University.
Steinway President Ronald Losby and JMU President Linwood H. Rose will be on hand as JMU is officially designated an "All-Steinway School." Pressler will perform immediately following the 3 p.m. presentation. The performance is a tribute to his former student and current JMU faculty pianist Dr. Lori Piitz.
Now 87 years old, Pressler has been dazzling audiences as a piano soloist and chamber musician for five decades. Pressler founded the Beaux Arts Trio, where he played the piano for 55 years. A Washington Post arts critic once exclaimed, "since its founding more than 50 years ago, the Beaux Arts Trio has become the gold standard for trios throughout the world."
Pressler's solo career is equally impressive. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Menahem Pressler's joyous pianism - technically faultless, stylistically impeccable, emotionally irrepressible - is from another age and is a virtually forgotten sensibility. He is a national treasure."
Presser has compiled over 30 solo recordings, ranging from the works of Bach to Ben Haim. He has also received six Grammy nominations.
The legendary pianist will also teach a master class to JMU students from 9 a.m. until noon Sunday, Jan. 30. The public is welcome to attend.
Tickets for the performance are $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and JAC cardholders, $10 for youth 18 and under, and $4 for JMU students. For tickets, visit www.jmu.edu/JMUarts or call the Forbes Center Box Office at (540) 568-7000.
Contact Jen Kulju, public relations/marketing specialist at the Forbes Center, at (540) 568-4394 or by e-mail at kuljuja@jmu.edu for further information.
