Garrick Ohlsson, piano Tickets

Garrick Ohlsson is a world-renowned pianist who has had a long and illustrious career in the world of classical music. He is known for his virtuosic performances and deep understanding of the music he plays, whether it's Chopin, Beethoven, or any other great composer. But there is another side to Garrick Ohlsson that many people may not be aware of: his connection to the theater.

Ohlsson has always been interested in theater, and even as a young boy, he was drawn to the dramatic possibilities of music. He recalls attending a ballet performance when he was just five years old and being captivated by the way the music and dance worked together to create a powerful emotional experience. This early exposure to the art form sparked a lifelong fascination with theater and drama that has informed much of his work as a musician.

One of the most striking examples of Ohlsson's connection to theater is his groundbreaking solo performance of Busoni's Piano Concerto. This piece, which was originally written for orchestra and solo piano, posed a unique challenge for Ohlsson, as he had to play both the orchestral and solo parts on the piano at the same time. To do this, he devised a system of foot pedals that allowed him to control various sounds and effects while playing the piano with his hands.

The result was a tour de force of musicianship and theater, with Ohlsson bringing an unprecedented level of drama and showmanship to his performance. Critics hailed it as a triumph, and it helped to cement Ohlsson's reputation as one of the most innovative and daring pianists of his generation.

But it's not just in his performances that Ohlsson's love for theater comes through. He has also been an avid collaborator with playwrights and directors, working to bring the worlds of music and drama closer together. One of his most notable collaborations was with Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson, with whom he worked on a musical adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull.

The show, which featured Ohlsson playing live on stage alongside the actors, was a critical and commercial success, and helped to demonstrate the power and versatility of live theater. It also brought Ohlsson's unique blend of virtuosity and theatricality to a new audience, introducing a whole new generation to the possibilities of classical music.

For Garrick Ohlsson, music and theater are two sides of the same coin, each one informing and enriching the other. Whether he is performing a complex piano concerto or collaborating with a cast of actors, he brings the same sense of dedication, passion, and drama to his work. And it is this commitment to the union of music and theater that has made him such an important figure in the world of classical music today.