Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl Livestream co-presented by Chamber Music Society of Detroit, University of Chicago Presents & Des Moines Civic Music Association
Pianist Aaron Diehl will appear in a free livestreamed recital co-presented by Chamber Music Society of Detroit, University of Chicago Presents, and Des Moines Civic Music Association on Friday, May 1 at 8:00pm. The performance is part of the new CameraMusic initiative established by the Chamber Music Society of Detroit to give artists the opportunity to perform live from wherever they are during the COVID-19 crisis. As musicians everywhere find themselves isolated and unable to perform for live audiences, “Musica da camera” (the Italian term for “chamber music”) takes on a whole new meaning.
Equally at home with classical music and jazz, multi-faceted pianist Aaron Diehl will perform a program of rags by Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake, show tunes, light classics, and music of Harlem Stride masters James P. Johnson, Thomas “Fats” Waller and Willie “the Lion” Smith.
With its “striding” oom-pah left hand, Harlem Stride became the rage in 1920’s New York as the ragtime of Scott Joplin and his contemporaries was transformed into jazz with a new improvisatory freedom, swinging, energized rhythms and virtuoso pianism.
Aaron Diehl connects this history to the present day, giving listeners a taste of what audiences might have heard in clubs, concert halls, and at-home “rent parties” in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Today’s virtual performances offer unique ways for communities to support artists and stay connected through music.
Program:
Eubie Blake: Charleston Rag
Thomas “Fats” Waller: African Ripples
Scott Joplin: Solace, A Mexican Serenade
Edvard Grieg: Anitra’s Dance, from Peer Gynt
Massenet: Élégie
Willie “the Lion” Smith: Fading Star
George Gershwin: ’S Wonderful
James P. Johnson: Carolina Shout
Streaming details and more information are available at the websites of the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, University of Chicago Presents, and Des Moines Civic Music Association.