Carleton Pianist Celebrates New CD Release with Campus Performance

In celebration of his latest CD release, Matthew McCright, pianist and Carleton faculty member, will perform in recital on Sunday, October 12 at 3 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The program is entitled “Second Childhood,” the same name as McCright’s newest CD which will be released on the innova record label in January 2009. Rather than focusing on the work of just one composer, McCright selected pieces by several composers who have written for him. The program will feature recent works, including the world premieres of pieces by Carleton faculty Laura Cavianai and the Chicago-based composer Kirsten Broberg, along with works by Bruch Stark, John Halle, Gregory Hutter, and Daniel Nass. The repertoire will highlight and represent different aspects of McCright’s childhood life, such as the preludes and waltzes of his early piano training, and the musical interests he acquired from his parents including the ‘50s and ‘60s bebop, blues, and ragtime.

McCright performs extensively throughout the United States and Europe as piano soloist and chamber musician. He has devoted his life to performing works by living composers and has thrilled audiences with an inventive repertoire that spans a wide range of both traditional and contemporary compositions.

McCright earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Westminster College, and holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of Lydia Artymiw. A recipient of numerous awards and prizes, he is co-founder of Westminster Triptych and a member of the Minneapolis-based Renegade Ensemble.

The Carleton College Concert Hall has limited disability accessibility. For more information and disability accommodations, call Carleton’s music department at (507) 222-4475.