In front of the two-story organ in the Hamilton Recital Hall last Tuesday night, an older gentleman in a black tuxedo entered calmly from stage right and took a seat at the grand piano. He took a long, deep breath, laid his fingers upon the keys and entered into his first piece, Johannes Brahms Rhapsodie in E-flat Major, Op. 119 No. 4.
Last week, the Lamont Guest Artist program hosted pianist Jerome Rose on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets were $10 or free for students.
The recital hall was filled with about 30 individuals, with half being older adults and couples and the other half composed of DU students. He played long composition pieces by classical greats such as Brahms, Franz Schubert and Frederic Chopin. Each piece painted a different scene or seemed to tell a different story as Rose masterfully executed it. Sometimes the scenes were violent and angry, sometimes they were light hearted and joyful.
Many seemed put into a trance by Rose’s set, with some audience members appearing as if they were visualizing the notes erupting into the atmosphere. Rose’s concentration was immense and completely in tune with his instrument. He only ever silently acknowledged the audience with a low bow or hand wave. The recital lasted a total of about 45 minutes, with a brief intermission in the middle and a small reception following.
Rose was intended to teach a Master Class on piano at 2 p.m. in Lamont the following day, but was forced to cancel it due to scheduling changes, according to Chris Wiger, the director of Public Relations at the Newman Center. The Lamont Guest Artist program reaches out to musicians through the faculty’s own connections, which is how Rose was contacted about performing.
Kyle Vanderkooi, a second-year Daniels business student from Frisco, Colo., said he enjoyed the recital and remarked how he himself is a keyboard player. Vanderkooi noted that his piano tutor recommended he see the recital to get more of an exposure to playing classical pieces.
“The recital was very cool. I usually play more contemporary music, but I want to try and practice more classical, especially after listening tonight,” said Vanderkooi.
According to his biography, Rose has an international career that boasts performances on five different continents, a degree from The Juilliard School, an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the State University of New York for lifetime achievement, and a seat on some of the world’s most competitive philharmonics. Rose specializes in playing classical composers and has critically acclaimed recordings on Medici Classics including the Liszt Concerti with the Budapest Philharmonic, Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, the Complete Schumann Sonatas, the Last Three Beethoven Sonatas and the Complete Ballades & Fantasy of Chopin.
Rose has appeared with such orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony and Santa Cecilia, Rome. A frequent visitor to London, he has appeared with the London Philharmonic, London Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic. In addition he has been soloist with most major U.S. orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston, Baltimore and Atlanta.
To keep up with all the Lamont Guest Artists and musical activities, check out their web calendar.
