Peter Basquin piano recital

Peter Basquin, renowned virtuoso pianist, will present a solo piano recital at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, at The Presbyterian Church in Berkeley Springs. The recital includes classical works for piano by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann and Aaron Copland.

“When I began preparing this recital for Berkeley Springs,” Basquin said, “I immediately thought of Robert Schumann, whose 200th birthday is celebrated this year. I love many of Schumann's works, but am particularly drawn to the Symphonic Etudes, a brilliant set of variations that he wrote on a theme written by the father of a young woman with whom Schumann had become infatuated in his youth.”

Basquin will also hold a Master class for advanced piano students on Saturday, May 29, beginning at 3 p.m. The Master class is partially funded through the generous support of the Friends of Church on the Hill Concert Series, the Presbyterian Sacred Arts Program and The George G Rink Memorials Scholarship Fund for Young Musicians.

An artist familiar to many area classical music lovers, Peter Basquin was a regular artist-in-residence at the Manor House summer concerts sponsored by the Coolfont Foundation for over 25 years. When Coolfont closed its doors, he continued to offer a recital each spring in Berkeley Springs. The 2010 recital is sponsored by the Morgan County Forum for Arts, Sciences and Technologies and the Friends of Church on the Hill Concert Series.

Basquin served as professor of piano at Hunter College-CUNY for more than 30 years, and is now professor emeritus at Hunter and at the CUNY Graduate Center. In June 2009 Carleton College awarded him an honorary doctorate and lifetime achievement award. This summer will mark his 30th season as faculty/artist at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, performing in seven concerts over a six-week period.

Basquin and his wife Katie live in Brooklyn, N.Y.

All are welcome to attend the recital and meet Basquin at a reception following the concert. There is no admission charge for this Church on the Hill concert. Donations are encouraged to support the continuation of the concert series. The Presbyterian Church is located at 101 S. Mercer Street in Berkeley Springs. For more information, contact Lydia Walker at 304-258-3031.