Pianist Matthew Mccright To Play East Coast Premieres Of Works By Six Minnesota Composers At Nyc’s Merkin Hall September 25, 2010

PIANIST MATTHEW MCCRIGHT TO PLAY EAST COAST PREMIERES OF WORKS BY SIX MINNESOTA COMPOSERS AT NYC’S MERKIN HALL.

Dispelling the notion that sophisticated art music doesn’t come from middle America, “Piano Innovation,” pianist Matthew McCright’s upcoming concert consists of new music by six compelling Minnesota composers. This special performance will take place on Saturday, September 25th, 2010, 8:00pm at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th Street in Manhattan. General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.kaufman-center.org or by calling 212.501.3303. $15 student tickets are available at the door only.

The American Composers Forum (www.composersforum.org) and the Minnesota State Arts Board are proud to present pianist Matthew McCright (www.matthewmccright.org) in a concert of new piano works from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Based in the Twin Cities, the Forum has a long history of promoting new music throughout the country. This concert will feature the New York premieres of pieces by young, emerging, and established composers of this cultural mecca of the Midwest. Works include James Marentic’s "Rothko"; Justin Rubin’s "Waltz through Vapor"; Adam Wernick’s "Dream Play"; Paul Cantrell’s "Disembodied Dance"; Kirsten Broberg’s “echoes” and Daniel Nass’ “quatre etudes de fromage.” Complete biographies for all composers are available upon request.

American pianist Matthew McCright has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as piano soloist and chamber musician. He has thrilled audiences and critics alike with an imaginative repertoire that spans both the traditional and a wide range of contemporary works. He has premiered numerous new pieces, many written for him, and has collaborated with such composers as Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, Augusta Read Thomas, Paul Dresher, Michael Gordon, Mary Ellen Childs, Julia Wolfe, Evan Ziporyn, Mark Anthony Turnage, Kirsten Broberg, Kamran Ince, Alvin Lucier, Linda Buckley and Judith Lang Zaimont among many others. McCright currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a member of the piano faculty of Carleton College while maintaining an active freelance schedule as one of the most sought after pianists in contemporary music. Recent projects include the 2009 CD release of Second Childhood on innova Records and an upcoming disc of the piano works of Minnesota composer Gene Gutchë on Centaur Records. He is curator of the Open Doors music series, partnering performing artists with charitable causes and is housed at Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Parish, where he is pianist-in-residence for the series. He created The Composer’s Project, a nationwide program featuring emerging composers. McCright completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota, under the tutelage of Lydia Artymiw. In addition to private study in New York City with Lisa Moore, he also holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati studying with Richard Morris and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance, Magna Cum Laude, from Westminster College with Nancy Zipay DeSalvo.