Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Anne Epperson in motion

Just wanted to share the news that Collaborative Pianist and force of nature, Anne Epperson, will join the faculty of Indiana University in 2017!!!  


   

Monday, May 23, 2016

Onward!

This summer's starting off with very little relaxation: May musical endeavors include playing in the pit for "A Chorus Line" at the Playhouse, playing with the San Antonio Wind Ensemble (piano) and with the San Antonio Symphony Baroque Series (harpsichord). 

"A Chorus Line" is a fun show to play, and has very little downtime for the Keys I book (which I prefer to long dialogue breaks).  We have a great pit band, 11 strong (!), and we're a little over halfway through.  

The Wind Ensemble gig includes 2 pieces, Grainger's "Children's March: Over the Hills and Far Away" and Marquez's "Danzon No. 2".  I adore playing the Danzon, with its Latin rhythms, the Grainger is less enjoyable to play simply because it isn't written as pianistically (with a couple almost physically implausible moments thrown in, to boot).

As for the Baroque stuff, all I can say is WHEE!!  Love it.

More to come . . .



Thursday, January 14, 2016

Baroque music

Hello, it's been awhile -  Just an update on what I've been up to . . .
I'm finishing up a grad degree at UTSA this semester*.  The degree, although nominally a 'solo performance' degree, has managed to cover several areas of collaborative piano at the same time.  For example: I began studying the harpsichord - which enabled me to learn/perform Brandenburg No. 5 last year with a chamber ensemble - and presently I'm prepping for a Baroque recital at the end of this month.  Rachel Podger is doing a 1-week residency here, so I've been immersing myself in Telemann, Vivaldi, Bach and Purcell. 

We're doing Vivaldi Summer and Winter, Bach Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, Telemann Concerto for flute and Violin TWV 52:e3, and selections from Purcell's Fairy Queen. 

One of the harder things to adapt to (outside the completely altered touch needed on a different instrument) is the lack of 'written music'.  Yes, there is a part - but it is mostly just a  bass line.  It takes a lot of familiarity with everyone's part to improv stuff with confidence.

Hence the listening - I hope to steal ideas as deftly as possible. 

My solo recital is in February - and then sweet freedom (until the next thing pops up).  Actually, I think I start Handel's Messiah in March, so I guess I don't get much of a break after all . . . sigh.







*and I must say, being a grad student is way better the 2nd time around.  Now we have streaming music, online books, online EVERYTHING . . .