Renowned pianist Kenny Broberg to visit School of Music

World-renowned pianist Kenny Broberg will perform a recital on Jan. 24 as part of Ohio University’s Keyboard Artist Recital Series.

The show will take place at 8 p.m. in Glidden Recital Hall and is free to the public. Broberg’s visit is being underwritten by Dr. George Weckman, the College of Fine Arts Visiting Artist and Scholars Committee, and the Ohio University Performing Arts Series.

“The series is one of the cornerstones of our keyboard area offerings, and something that students, faculty and community look forward to every year,” said Dr. Emely Phelps, artist-teacher of piano and curator of the Series.

Broberg will perform a program of Medtner's 2nd Sonata, Liszt's Dante Sonata, Weber's Fourth Piano Sonata, and a set of Baracarolles by Fauré. Broberg said he puts multiple programs together each year that have a musical connection to each other.

“I’m very excited to come and see the city and meet the people at the university,” Broberg said.

In addition, Broberg will teach a master class to two piano performance students in Glidden Recital Hall. Master class performers were selected by faculty, and include HTC-Music piano performance students Caden Potter, a first-year student, and Taae Hamid, a senior and a recent winner of the Provost Undergraduate Research Fund award, Christopher Fisher, D.M.A., professor of piano and director of the School of Music, said.

Broberg said he always enjoys giving master classes at universities.

“It’s always tough to figure out what to tell people in the hour and a half that you get,” he said. “I really enjoy teaching, and so it’s a worthwhile experience.”

The Keyboard Artist Recital Series consists of six to eight recitals annually, three or four of which feature internationally-renowned guest pianists. The others feature keyboard area faculty.

“It is an extraordinary opportunity for School of Music students to interact with these internationally-acclaimed musicians, and a chance for Ohio University students, faculty and the community at large to experience their inspiring artistry,” Fisher, D.M.A., said.

Broberg won the 2021 American Pianist Awards and has won numerous other awards. Some of his other awards include a silver medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, bronze medal at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition, and prizes at the Hastings, Sydney, Seattle and New Orleans International Piano competitions.

“In short, we are in for a thrilling and inspiring evening of piano playing,” Phelps said.