Pianist Arnaldo Cohen in concert November 22, 2008

Renowned Brazilian pianist Arnaldo Cohen will perform an inspired program of works by rarely heard South American composers, along with Bach and Chopin, presented by San Francisco Performances.

The concert begins with the Bach/Busconi "Chaconne" from "Partita No. 2 in D minor for Unaccompanied Violin, BWV 1004" followed by works from such composers as Alberto Nepomuceno, Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez, Luiz Levy and Francisco Braga. Four Chopin "Ballades" complete the program.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Cohen graduated from the city's Federal University with honors degrees in both piano and violin, while also studying engineering. He became a professional violinist the Rio de Janeiro Opera House, but continued his piano studies. He rose to prominence after winning First Prize at the 1972 Busoni International Piano Competition, followed by his debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

After living in London for two decades, Cohen recently relocated to the United States, where he is a piano professor at Indiana University in Bloomington.

$49/$32.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org