An Adventurous Program by Guest Pianist Sang Woo Kang

Internationally renowned pianist Sang Woo Kang performs a concert of contrasts: works by contemporary American composer John Corigliano introducing a Mozart sonata and pieces by Chopin, in an HSU Guest Artist recital on Saturday January 24 at Fulkerson Recital Hall.

 Sang Woo Kang has performed throughout Europe, Asia and South America as well as in New York’s Carnegie Hall. The Los Angeles Times called him a “prodigiously talented pianist with great technical virtuosity and interpretive gifts.” His latest solo album, “Mozart Piano Music: Fugues, Rondos and Fantasias,” was released last month. With degrees from Juilliard and the Eastman School of Music, he currently chairs the Music Department at Providence College.

 At Fulkerson Recital Hall he will perform what Daniela Mineva, HSU professor of piano calls an “adventurous and truly wonderful program.”

 It begins with “Fantasia on an Ostinato” by John Corigliano, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, four Grammy awards and an Oscar for “The Red Violin.” “Ostinato” is a term for an obstinately repeated motif or phrase—in this case, from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. 

 Reviewing a prior Sang Woo Kang performance of this same program, Rorianne Schrade wrote in New York Concert Reviews that he made “sensitive choices” in this “haunting, almost post-apocalyptic” opening piece. 

 Mozart’s Piano Sonata in C major, she wrote, was “dramatic and effective, “ and Sang Woo Kang’s approach to Etude Fantasy, a second Corigliano piece, “was fearless and solid,” while Chopin’s Noctune in D-flat major was “deeply stirring,” and Chopin’s Polanaise-Fantaisie “concluded the program with sweep.”

 Schrade also praised the structure of the program as a whole for the illuminating relationships produced by Sang Woo Kang’s performance of these very different selections.

 “Through these sharp juxtapositions,” Sang Woo notes, “this program also offers an exploration of the range and capabilities of the instrument."

 Pianist Sang Woo Kang performs on Saturday January 24 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $10 general/$5 seniors, children and students, from the HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. This Guest Artist Series concert is produced by the HSU Music Department. 

Media: Times-Standard Urge, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now