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Pianist Laura Leon

Bagatelle a la P.D.Q. Bach: Peter Schickele honored in film from 2011 75th Birthday Concert at Steinway Hall

Bagatelle a la P.D.Q. Bach Peter Schickele honored in film from 2011 75th Birthday Concert at Steinway Hall

A wonderful short film honoring Peter Schickele, from the filming of the 75th Birthday Concert in tribute to the composer and his music at Steinway Hall one year ago-on March 29, 2011-is up on YouTube: Bagatelle a la P.D.Q. Bach

                            www.youtube.com/watch?v=it8b51ILTDc&list=HL1333046617&feature=mh_lolz


The film was produced by my sister, Karen Leon, noted cartoonist, illustrator and photographer. The film is an excerpt from the evening's celebration, which featured a wide range of Peter Schickele's solo piano and chamber music repertoire, performed together by a distinguished roster of musicians--with the composer present, introducing all of the works on the program.

Karen's film includes the composer, his comments about his music, a clip of WQXR and WFUV radio host Robert Sherman--who introduced Peter Schickele at the top of the evening, as well as Dance of Uncertain National Origin, the first movement from the composer's Three Uncharacteristic Pieces for B flat Trumpet and Piano, performed with trumpeter Caleb Hudson.

It was a magical evening for all of us, to be present and honor Peter Schickele, beloved and great American composer.

And the celebration continues. A recording of Peter Schickele's solo and 4-hand piano works, will be released in 2013.