Key Biscayne Piano Festival Presents: Kemal Gekic
April 24, 2020, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
“Mr.Gekic possesses the greatest single interpretive talent combined with the most stupendous technical mastery of anyone now before the public” Frank Cooper Flamboyant, daring, provocative, exciting, seductive and sensitive are some of the words used to describe one of today’s most formidable pianists, Kemal Gekic, whose playing has been acclaimed worldwide by public and critics alike. His daring approach to tone and form marked him as a maverick in the musical world, a distinction he welcomes: the very strength of his artistry challenges, provokes, intrigues. “Gekic rides the charismatic edge of genius” R. Dyer, Boston Globe “He is something like a general who has learned all the rules in the book and is, therefore, free to ignore them in the time of war” James Roos, Miami Herald “His playing is transcendental as well as incandescent” John Ardoin, Dallas Morning News] Performing worldwide from a vast repertoire, Kemal Gekic presents fascinating, uncompromising and ever-changing interpretations, always generating frenzied audience enthusiasm. As a recording artist, Kemal Gekic has won accolades in Europe, America, and Japan for insightful, original views of the music. His outstanding Rossini-Liszt transcriptions (Naxos) won “The Rosette” of The Penguin Guide to Music, while his recording of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes (JVC) is generally considered to be the best recording of a set in history. Born in Split, Croatia, Kemal Gekic got his early training from Prof. Lorenza Baturina. He graduated the class of Prof.Jokuthon Mihailovic at the Art Academy of Novi Sad and was immediately given a faculty appointment by the piano department which he eventually directed until 1999. Since 1999 he has been Artist in Residence at the Florida International University in Miami, Florida.
Program
CHOPIN
- Scherzo Op.20 No. 1
- Ballade Op.23 No. 1
- Nocturne Op.48 No. 1
- Nocturne Op.55 No. 1
- Etude Op.25 No. 1
- Etude Op.10 No 12
- Polonaise Op.53
ANDRE ALEN Variations (1999)
LISZT
- Rhapsodie Hongroise No. 10
- Rhapsodie Hongroise No. 11
Learn more here.
