1/27/2024, ECMSA Jazz Meets Classics

2023 | 2024

Welcome to the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

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Audience Information The Schwartz Center welcomes members of Mu Phi Epsilon and a volunteer usher corps of about 40 members each year. Visit schwartz.emory.edu/volunteer or call 404.727.6640 for ushering opportunities.

The Schwartz Center is committed to providing performances and facilities accessible to all. Please direct accommodation requests to the Schwartz Center Box Office at 404.727.5050, or by email at boxoffice@emory.edu.

The Schwartz Center wishes to gratefully acknowledge the generous ongoing support of Donna and Marvin Schwartz.

Cover Design: Lisa Baron | Cover Photo: Mark Teague

MUSIC 2023 | 2024

ECMSA

Emerson Series

Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta William Ransom, artistic director

Jazz Meets Classics Matt Herskowitz, piano

Saturday, January 27, 2024, 8:00 p.m.

Emerson Concert Hall Schwartz Center for Performing Arts

Program Études en jazz Op. 10, No. 1, “Boogie-Woogie” Op 10, No. 2, “El Montuno” Op. 10, No. 3, “Le Gospel de La Tristesse” Op. 10, No. 11, “Infinite Arpeggios” Op. 25, No. 6, “Solitary Tango in Thirds” Op. 10, No. 6, “Ghost Prayer” Op. 25, No. 9, “Ragtime Butterfly” Op. 10, No. 4, “The Jazz Torrent”

Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)

Matt Herskowitz, piano

The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta is supported by the Cherry L. Emerson Endowment, the Rebecca Katz-Doft Chamber Music Endowment, the Crescendo Fund, the Ethel Orentlicher Gershon Fund, a generous gift from Dr. John and Linda Cooke, and by contributions from music lovers like you.

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Matt Herskowitz, piano Uniquely combining the superlative technique of a classical virtuoso with his prowess in jazz, world music, and free improvisation, pianist, composer, and arranger Matt Herskowitz has carved out a unique and personal voice in music. Over the course of the last decade, Herskowitz has produced a series of critically acclaimed recordings; premiered his works in settings from New York’s Central Park to Germany’s Köln Philharmonie; collaborated with top classical, jazz, and pop artists; and performed at music festivals across the globe.

“[Herskowitz] displays touch, power, artistry,

and chops along with a firm grasp of the daring needed for a great performance.”

—Downbeat magazine’s “Editor’s Picks”

Herskowitz’s latest solo release, Mirror Image (Justin Time Records, 2019), is a unique and personal exploration/reconciliation of his classical and jazz alter-egos, with pieces by Ravel, Satie, Schubert, and Gottschalk, as well as several original compositions. Mirror Image has already received wide critical acclaim and is consistently ranked a favorite among progressive jazz stations in the United States and Canada. His 2012 solo release, Matt Herskowitz Upstairs, was featured in Downbeat magazine’s Editor’s Picks. Upstairs follows Herskowitz’s critically acclaimed, Juno-nominated world music fusion album Jerusalem Trilogy (Justin Time, 2010), which features the pianist’s original compositions and arrangements in his signature synthesis of contemporary jazz and classical styles, combined with a unique blend of Arab and Jewish grooves. Among the album’s fans was the late great Dave Brubeck, who commended Herskowitz on the recording, saying: “Congratulations!

You have transformed the concept of ‘World’ music as I conceived of it half a century ago. You have carried it further than I could imagine.”

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In 2017, Herskowitz was featured on the BBC show Music Matters: Spirit of Bach to discuss his innovative arrangements of Bach, which can be heard on his albums Bach XXI and Bach Reimagined. In 2009, Herskowitz premiered his piano concerto, Undertow, with Absolute Ensemble—a cross-genre chamber orchestra that commissioned the work—at the Köln Philharmonie in Cologne, Germany, in a concert broadcast on WDR German television across Europe. Herskowitz’s 2007 solo release, Matt Herskowitz Plays George Gershwin, featuring Herskowitz’s original solo arrangements of the Concerto in F, Cuban Overture, and Rhapsody in Blue, was nominated for Quebec’s prestigious Prix Opus, and has received accolades from jazz and classical critics alike.

As an arranger, Herskowitz has collaborated with many noted artists and producers. In addition to his hugely popular Bach à la Jazz, which he arranged and performed for the animated film The Triplets of Belleville, Herskowitz and his trio were featured on Barry Manilow’s In The Swing of Christmas, which was nominated for a Grammy award for “Best Traditional Pop Album.” Herskowitz has also collaborated with pop diva Lara Fabian, earning thousands of new fans from his solo piano piece, Piano Nocturne, on Fabian’s album Nue (Polydor/Universal, 2001). Several of their songs have been recorded and performed by various French pop artists, including Nolwenn Leroy, Daniel Levi, and George Perris.

A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute, Herskowitz is originally from Rensselaerville, New York, and has made Montreal his home since 1999.

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Upcoming Emory Music Concerts Many concerts at Emory are free to attend. Visit music.emory.edu or schwartz.emory.edu to view complete event information. If a ticket is required for attendance, prices are indicated in the listings below in the following order: Full price/Emory student price (unless otherwise noted as the price for all students).

Friday, February 2, 8:00 p.m., Emory Jazz Fest 2024, Bobby Broom, guitar, Schwartz Artist in Residence, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $30/$10, tickets required Saturday, February 3, 8:00 p.m., Emory Jazz Fest 2024, Emory Big Band, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free, tickets required Thursday, February 8, 8:00 p.m., St. Olaf Choir, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $50/$10, tickets required Friday, February 9, noon, The Three Graces, ECMSA: Cooke Noontime Series, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m., Chinese New Year Celebration and Pajama Concert, ECMSA: Family Series, Carlos Museum, free Saturday, February 10, 8:00 p.m., CompFest 2024, Performing Arts Studio, free Sunday, February 11, 4:00 p.m., Bach Bowl–Inspired by Bach, ECMSA: Emerson Series, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free Wednesday, February 14, 8:00 p.m., Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free Friday, February 16, 8:00 p.m., National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Candler Concert Series, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $60/$10, tickets required Wednesday, February 21, 6:30 p.m., and Thursday, February 22, 2:30 p.m., Vocal Master Class, Performing Arts Studio, free Friday, February 23, 8:00 p.m., Emory Wind Ensemble, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free 7

Music at Emory Music at Emory brings together students, faculty, and world-class artists to create an exciting and innovative season of performances, lectures, workshops, and master classes. With more than 150 events each year across multiple Emory venues, audiences experience a wide variety of musical offerings.

We hope you enjoy sampling an assortment of work from our student ensembles, community youth ensembles, artists in residence, professional faculty, up-and-coming prodigies, and virtuosos from around the world.

music.emory.edu