Jeffrey Siegel Kicks Off Another Great Season At McCallum

Desert favorite and McCallum Theatre regular, American pianist Jeffrey Siegel starts his series, "Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel" in classic style performing "Beethoven - Sunny Side up!" on Monday, January 8 at 7pm.

German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven is widely regarded as one of history's greatest composers. As the predominant figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, Beethoven's reputation and genius have inspired - and in many cases intimidated - ensuing generations of composers, musicians, and audiences.

As far as musical form is concerned, he built on the principles of sonata form and motivic development that he had inherited from Haydn and Mozart, but greatly extended them, writing longer and more ambitious movements. But Beethoven also radically redefined the symphony, transforming it from the rigidly structured four-ordered-movements form of Haydn's era to a fairly open ended form that could sustain as many movements as necessary, and of whatever form as necessary to give the work cohesion. Beethoven's career as a composer is usually divided into Early, Middle, and Late periods.

Considering the depth and extent of Beethoven's artistic explorations, as well as the composer's success in making himself comprehensible to the widest possible audience, the Austrian-born British musician and writer Hans Keller pronounced Beethoven "humanity's greatest mind altogether."

Jeffrey Siegel has been soloist with the world's great orchestras including, the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony, Moscow State Symphony, Stockholm Philharmonic, Orchestra of La Scala and the NHK Symphony of Japan. In the U. S., engagements include the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

In addition to his solo appearances, Jeffrey Siegel presents "Keyboard Conversations®," a unique, concert-plus-commentary format in which he speaks to the audience about each piece before performing it. Newcomers to classical concerts have greeted these programs with enormous enthusiasm because they present an informal, accessible and highly entertaining introduction to the vast repertoire of the piano and to classical music in general. Mr. Siegel has also developed a following among seasoned music lovers, who are constantly enlightened by his erudition and delighted by his wit. Ongoing series flourish in numerous American cities, among them New York, Chicago, Washington, D. C., Cleveland, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas and Denver. Some of these venues have been presenting Keyboard Conversations® for more than twenty years - a resounding testimony to Mr. Siegel's superb artistry, innovative format, and loyal following.

As a conductor, Jeffrey Siegel has appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Saint Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as orchestras in France, Scandinavia and South America. He is equally at home in the dual role of conductor/pianist, directing the orchestra from the keyboard. For thirteen years, Mr. Siegel served as Music Director and Conductor of the Mainly Mozart Festival in Arizona.

Whether you're a conditioned classical music veteran or a newcomer interested in learning more about the timeless classical pieces of Beethoven, Keyboard Conversations® With Jeffrey Siegel will educate and - most importantly - entertain you.

By www.mccallumtheatre.com