Program Highlight

Pianist Awadagin Pratt performs "Rounds" by Jessie Montgomery, 2/1 @ 8pm

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM

Published January 20, 2023 at 2:05 PM EST

Pianist Awadagin Pratt Performs New Concerto by Jessie Montgomery

During Black History Month we celebrate the artistry of pianist Awadagin Pratt and Jessie Montgomery, who are both Black. The turbulent summer of 2020 forced the classical music industry to take a hard look at its own spotty history of inclusion. “Things have changed,” Pratt said. “It will be interesting to see if it’s sustained and what shapes it takes.”

2/1 Strauss: Metamorphosen Montgomery: Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra Mendelssohn: Overture to Die Heimkehr aus der Fremde Schumann: Symphony No. 4 (Awadgin Pratt, p; Ken-David Masur, cond)

2/8 Adams: Absolute Jest for String Quartet and Orchestra Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Choral (Felicia Moore, s; Deborah Nansteel, ms; Andrew Haji, t; Nathan Berg, bs-bar; Milwaukee Symphony Chorus; Cheryl Frazes Hill, dir; Aizuri Quartet; Ken-David Masur, cond)