UE Piano Series 2002-2003

Kenneth Drake, who is professor emeritus in the piano division of the School of Music of the University of Illinois, was an early exponent of playing repertoire of the classic period on instruments of that period. Using period pianos or replicas, he has played for universities and private colleges, the Cambridge Early Music Society (three seasons), the Smithsonian Institution, Princeton University (short-term residency), Roosevelt University, the Michigan Mozart Fest, the Midwestern Early keyboard Society, and MTNA state, division and national conventions. Mr. Drake's early training was with Eskil Randolph in Freeport, Illinois, followed by study with Jose Echaniz at the Eastman School of Music, Grete Hinterhofer at the Vienna Akademie under a Fulbright scholarship, and Stanley Fletcher at the University of Illinois, from which institution he earned his DMA. His thesis was published by MTNA under the title, "The Beethoven Sonatas as He Played and Taught Them," and later reissued by Indiana University Press, which in 1994 published his "The Beethoven Sonatas and the Creative Experience." Mr. Drake taught previously at the University of Evansville (Indiana) and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was chairman of the piano department.

Allen Reiser

Tuesday, January 14, 2003, 7:30 p.m.

Program - All Liszt: Sonetti 47, 104, 123 del Petrarca; Ballade No. 2 in B minor; Mephisto Waltz No. 3; Transcendental Etude No. 9 - Ricordanza; Transcendental Etude No. 7 - Eroica; Berceuse; Polonaise No. 2 in E major.

Allen Reiser has performed with various orchestras in England and Canada, including those of Montreal, Calgary and Victoria. Recital engagements have taken him to nearly every major center in Western Canada and he has appeared in such prestigious international musical events as the Calgary International Organ Festival & Competition (Canada), the Bachauer International Piano Festival (USA) and the Canada House Recital Series (England).

Allen Reiser is very active throughout Western Canada and as a performer, adjudicator and master class clinician. He has presented workshops and recitals for various provincial and local Registered Music Teachers' Associations. He has been a guest piano instructor at a number of summer music schools and currently operates a private studio in Calgary as an affiliate instructor of Mount Royal College.

A Gold Medalist of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, Allen Reiser has been honored by Calgaryıs Mount Royal College with a Distinguished Faculty/Teaching Award. His former instructors include Peter Katin, England and Dr. Robin Wood, Canada, with additional studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and the Banff School of Fine Arts, Canada.

Allen Reiser is a pianist of diverse musical interests. His recitals are an eclectic mix of standard works for the keyboard sprinkled with unusual and less frequently performed works taken from the peripheries of the keyboardıs repertoire. He has a particular interest in Canadian piano music and the music of Franz Liszt. Allen Reiserıs recently released CD A Canadian Piano Album was nominated for a 2001 Prairie Music Award in the category of Outstanding Classical Recording.

Reviews:

It was clear from his opening flourish in Rachmaninoff's First Piano Concerto that he is a player not only of dynamic brilliance but of mellow touch... (London, England)

Reiser obviously has the means to play this treacherous music (Lisztıs First Piano Concerto) with the necessary bravura with stamina to spare. There were many fine poetic touches to his playing and a warmth to the lyrical episodes. (Calgary, Canada)

This feels like a stimulating album (A Canadian Piano Album) even before you put it on: A thoughtfully chosen program, intelligent notes and lovely booklet art. Then Allen Reiser starts his work and the expectation is nicely fulfilled. Reiser is a Calgary pianist with a head, heart and facility of honest and high accomplishment. Under his command, the 10 pieces on display would well convince an outsider that Canadian piano music is fertile ground for discovery. (Winnipeg Free Press, Canada)

Biographical Sketch

• 2001-2002 Piano Series
• 2000-2001 Piano Series
  
• 1999-2000 Piano Series
  
• 1998-99 Piano Series
  
• 1997-98 Piano Series
  
• Keyboard Studies at the University of Evansville
  
• UE Music Department Homepage
  
• Garnet Ungar Homepage
  
• University of Evansville Homepage