Throughout his life, Alexander Schwarzkopf has explored the intersection of music and visual art. As a pianist, composer and teacher, Schwarzkopf seeks interdisciplinary collaborations and the opportunity to present music in ways that convey depth of meaning through sound while visually stimulating the imagination of audiences.

 

Through the projection of his visual artwork during lectures prior to solo concerts in the United States and Germany, Schwarzkopf experienced the profound effect visual artwork, in conjunction with live musical performance, had on audiences. The combination opened up new pathways for the expression of complex musical concepts and increased audience engagement.

 

On March 29 at 3 p.m., music and visual art will intersect at Landrum Presbyterian Church. Schwarzkopf, Rebecca Hunter and Franklin Keel will perform works by Beethoven, Brahms and Jesse Jones.

 

The concert will open with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 23, Op. 57 “Appassionata.” The second selection will feature violinist Rebecca Hunter and Schwarzkopf in a performance of “In Dulcet Tones” (2013) by Jesse Jones.

 

Prior to the performance of Jones’ piece, he and several artists inspired by “In Dulcet Tones” will speak about their collaboration in the “Onomatopoetic Project: Music Made Visible” and show their work.

 

Directly following intermission, cellist Franklin Keel will join Rebecca Hunter and Schwarzkopf in a performance of Brahms’ Piano Trio in B major, Op. 8.

 

Interdisciplinary performances like this are rare. Schwarzkopf grew up in a family of artists, and his vision originated in his childhood experiences. His mother was an actress on Broadway and a professional puppeteer and his father is a late-Bauhaus architect, painter and string player from Stuttgart, Germany. Schwarzkopf’s father created large scenery and performed music for his mother’s puppet shows. It is Schwarzkopf’s intention to continue exploring the intersection of music and visual art in live performance. Find out more at www.ajsmusic.org.

 

The event is free and open to all.

 

–       Submitted by Alexander Schwarzkopf