Fred Karpoff plays Villa-Lobos at Albion College
Pianist Fred Karpoff comes to Albion College Albion in February may seem an odd place to get away from the cold, but award-winning pianist Fred Karpoff does just that, as an Albion College Music department guest artist on Wednesday, March 5 at 8 p.m. in the College's Goodrich Chapel. Karpoff, known on four continents for his solo work and collaborative efforts, is associate professor of piano and ensemble arts at the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. He is a prize winner in four international piano competitions, one of them being the 2005 Competition Internationale. Karpoff has also presented master classes and workshops throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and China. The recital features Bach's Prelude and Fugue in E Major, and Brahms’ Fantasien. Rounding out the evening are pieces by Edward MacDowell, an American composer and pianist from the Romantic period, and Brazilian composer Hector Villa-Lobos, possibly the best-known classical composer born in South America.
With award-winning documentary film director, Richard Breyer, Karpoff is currently producing a DVD series on piano playing and teaching that will be released in late 2008. David Abbott, associate professor of piano at Albion College, has been given the chance to preview it and rates it very helpful. “Karpoff’s video is very clear and really gets at the physiology of piano playing, showing students how to improve a technique, sometimes even in slow motion," said Abbott. "I think this will become an asset to any pianist.” This performance is free and open to the public. For a schedule of upcoming concerts visit our website at www.albion.edu/music or contact the Albion College Music department at 517/629-0481 or music@albion.edu. Article By Student Writer: Quinn Vokes