Robert Blocker, piano, October 18, 2023

horow itz pi a no ser i es Boris Berman, artistic director

Robert Blocker

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 7:30 pm Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall

José García-León, Dean

Program Domenico Scarlatti 1685–1757

Sonata in D major, K. 430. Non presto mà a tempo di ballo Sonata in D major, K. 492. Presto Sonata in B minor, K. 87.

Sonata in B-flat major, K. 551. Allegro Sonata in F minor, K. 19. Allegro Sonata in F major, K. 78. Allegro

Franz Schubert 1797–1828

Sonata No. 4 in A minor, D. 537 I. Allegro ma non troppo II. Allegretto quasi andantino III. Allegro vivace

intermission

Ludwig van Beethoven 1770–1827

Bagatelles, Op. 119 I. G minor. Allegretto II. C major. Andante con moto III. D major. à l’Allemande IV. A major. Andante cantabile V. C minor. Risoluto VI. G major. Andante – Allegretto VII. C major. Allegro, ma non troppo VIII. C major. Moderato cantabile IX. A minor. Vivace moderato X. A major. Allegramente XI. B-flat major. Andante, ma non troppo

Alberto Ginastera 1916–1983

Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 I. Allegro marcato II. Presto misterioso III. Adagio molto appassionato IV. Ruvido ed ostinato

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Artist Profile Robert Blocker, piano Robert Blocker, the William Edward Gilbert Professor of Piano at Yale University, has forged an inspired and multifaceted career as an internationally acclaimed pianist, impassioned educator, and renowned transformative leader. The Los Angeles Times described Blocker as an “artist of great skill and accomplishment” who performs with “a measurable virtuoso bent and considerable sensitivity,” while the Straits Times (Singapore) lauded the “beauty and sincerity” of his playing.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Blocker began his study of piano at age five and presented his first public recital two years later. Today, Blocker performs throughout the world as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist.

Later this season, he resumes his annual concert tours in China, where he has performed with Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and other symphonies in the major concert venues of that country.

He is an Honorary Professor at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and curates an artist series at Yale Center Beijing.

Undergraduate studies were completed at Furman University, and Richard Cass, the eminent American pianist and pedagogue, guided his advanced studies for the master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of North Texas. He also studied with the renowned concert artist Jorge Bolet. Steinway & Sons featured Blocker in its film celebrating the tercentennial year of the piano along with Van Cliburn and Billy Joel.

Blocker’s efforts on behalf of classical music are best reflected in the plethora of board memberships such as the Van Cliburn Foundation and the Shenzhen International Festival, arts management consultancies, and guest residencies. He is an affiliate Professor of Leadership Strategies at the Yale School of Management. During his 28-year tenure as Dean of Music at Yale, the School of Music endowment grew twenty-fold, including a $100 million gift that made the school tuition-free. Former Yale President Richard Levin says that “Robert is a visionary leader who cares deeply about faculty, staff, and students.”

Blocker’s newest recording, eight contemporary character pieces by Yale composers, will be released by Nimbus (UK) in the spring of 2024, and Yale University Press will publish his second book in late summer of 2024, titled Music: The Currency of Hope.

Program Notes Sonatas scarlatti Patrick Campbell Jankowski

Sonata No. 4 in A minor, D. 537 schubert Patrick Campbell Jankowski

One of the most inventive composers for the keyboard, and a pioneer of solo keyboard music, Domenico Scarlatti showcased the multitude of characters and moods that could be drawn from the instrument. He wrote his 555 known sonatas primarily for the harpsichord, yet his gestures translate naturally into the modern piano family. The son of an operatic composer, Domenico was born in Spanish-ruled Naples and spent much of his life as a court composer in Portugal and later in Spain. The influence of Spanish music can be heard in a number of his sonatas (all of which are in one movement), including the D major K. 492 sonata included in this set. Contrapuntal writing is another hallmark of the composer’s, and is showcased particularly in the B-flat sonata, K. 551.

At the age of 20, many people are still figuring out what direction their life might take. Franz Schubert was already churning out brilliant compositions, including this piano sonata in A minor… not to say that he did so with any sense of direction. The first three of his sonatas he left unfinished, perhaps as he was still “working things out” in the genre. This one would become the completed sonata.

Although the composer inevitably modeled himself after Beethoven, whose shadow loomed large over his career, his earlier works — including this one — share more in common with Mozart. Transparent textures, perfectly balanced melodic lines, and eminently satisfying harmonic progressions abound, although he manages to sneak in some surprising dissonances and changes of direction, perhaps foreshadowing the highly expressive quality of his later works.

Program Notes, cont.

Bagatelles, Op. 119 beethoven Patrick Campbell Jankowski

Sonata No. 1, Opus 22 ginastera Patrick Campbell Jankowski

A bagatelle is defined as “a thing of little importance.” This definition unjustifiably belittles the genre, which, in the right hands, can prove to be a medium for great creativity and emotional expression. Few would refute that Beethoven had the right hands to elevate this “trifle” to artistically sublime heights. Beethoven collected these eleven bagatelles, written throughout his life, and his publisher assembled them as a set. Whether the pieces were intended to be played together is debatable, but what makes Beethoven’s bagatelles so remarkable is that, though each brief piece is so individualistic, and unique in both form and mood, they can truly work well together in almost any configuration, as a musical montage. These “things of little importance” should be cherished, studied, appreciated, and beloved as works that transcend their diminutive title.

Alberto Ginastera remains one of the best-known and most influential composers from his native Argentina, which was true in his lifetime as well.

He managed to synthesize the kind of cosmopolitan modernism popular around the middle of the twentieth century with nationalistic elements derived from traditional Argentine music. Without quoting folk songs or dances directly, Ginastera infuses this sonata with their melodic and especially their rhythmic character. The first movement opens with syncopated chords pitted against a growling bass, and retains that sense of contrast throughout. The second movement is quiet and nervous in character, quite different from the impassioned yet sometimes austere third. The final movement is the liveliest of the bunch and bears the strongest influence of Argentine dance music.

Thank you for About the Horowitz Piano Series your support!

The Horowitz Recital Series was established in 2000 to honor the artistry of the great Uranian-American pianist Vladimir Horowitz (1903–1989), who chose to leave his papers to Yale upon his death in 1989. Today, Yale honors his legacy through the Horowitz Piano Series, which brings many of the world’s great keyboard artists to Yale and presents the distinguished pianists of the Yale faculty.

Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, and Radu Lupu are among the guest pianists who have performed at Yale. The series also presents pianists who are less known in the United States, such as Paul Lewis, Pierre Réach, and Mikhaïl Rudy.

Become a Horowitz Piano Series patron and support our performance programs.

Earn benefits ranging from preferred seating to invitations to special events. » To join or for more information, visit music.yale.edu/support or contact us at (203) 432–4158. paul hindemith circle $500–$749 Dr. Lorraine Siggins horatio parker circle $250–$499 Mr. & Mrs. Douglas J. Crowley Jim Scala samuel simons sanford circle $125–$249 Anonymous Henry & Joan Binder Richard Sonder & Susan Monserud gustave j. stoeckel circle $50–$124 Laura Berry & Bernard Hulin Eduardo Groisman Susan Holahan Jon Resnik List as of October 17, 2023

Upcoming Events at YSM oct 19

Ryan Kennedy, organ Doctor of Musical Arts Degree Recital 7:30 p.m. | Woolsey Hall Free admission

oct 20

Giancarlo Guerrero, guest conductor Yale Philharmonia 7:30 p.m. | Woolsey Hall Tickets start at $13, Yale faculty/staff start at $9, Students free

oct 21

Yale Schola Cantorum and Juilliard 415 Institute of Sacred Music 7:30 p.m. | Woolsey Hall Free admission This concert will also be performed on October 20 at Alice Tully Hall, New York, NY; Tickets $25

oct 25

Lunchtime Chamber Music 12:30 p.m. | Joseph Slifka Center Free admission

oct 27 & 28

Fall Opera Scenes Yale Opera 7:30 p.m. | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $13, Yale faculty/staff start at $10, Students start at $6

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