Guest Pianist to Visit Campus in February

The Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts announces the campus residency of pianist Kari Johnson on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, which will include a public performance and masterclasses. 

Johnson will perform a recital of contemporary and classical piano repertoire at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, in Colebank Hall. Tickets for the recital are $10 and may be purchased in advance through the Fairmont State Box Office at (304) 367-4240 or at the door.

“For music and piano-lovers, this event is a must see,” said Daniel Eichenbaum, Assistant Professor of Music. “Kari Johnson is one of the preeminent performers of music for piano and electronics. The music she plays combines the best conservatory-style technique along with a modern exploration of new sounds and computer interaction. If you’ve never heard a piano perform with computer-synthesized sound then you’re in for a real treat.”

Johnson will perform a traditional works by Ravel and Chopin along with a contemporary work by composer Scott Blasco, whom she commissioned, based upon Catholic liturgy. Blasco’s work, “Queen of Heaven,” has been released on CD. According to the liner notes: “Blasco infuses his music with a perspective of the world as divinely inspired and infused but grounded in humanity… With (the ‘Queen of Heaven’) liturgical structure and careful balancing of the human and the electronic, Scott Blasco created a work that uses basic materials – the ‘words’ of music – to rise above traditional clichés about electronic and religious music.” Blasco will be in attendance for the performance.

Johnson will offer two masterclasses for young and advanced pianists in Room 229 Wallman Hall at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. The free 9 a.m. masterclass is intended for beginning and very young pianists, as teaching these students is one of Johnson’s pedagogical specialties. The freeb11 a.m. masterclass is intended for advanced pianists from high school through college age. Piano students who would like to participate in the masterclass should call the School of Fine Arts main office at (304) 367-4203.

For more information about Johnson, visit www.karijohnsonpiano.com.

Kari JohnsonSchool of Fine ArtsMusicDan Eichenbaum