Philadelphia Classical Symphony Presents World Premiere of Super Pianist Premiere: Hexameron: Clash of the Piano Titans

Scottish pianist Kenneth Hamilton joins the Philadelphia Classical Symphony conducted by Karl Middleman, to perform the World Premiere of the piano and chamber orchestra version of Hexameron. This titanic showpiece was written by six 19^th Century pianist-composer titans – including Franz Liszt, Thalberg (Liszts' biggest rival) Pixis, Herz, Czerny, and Chopin – and features their individual variations on a theme by Bellini.  Created in 1837, Hexameron was never performed by the original super group that created it. The new version of this spectacular work has been arranged by Middleman, Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Classical Symphony. Rounding out the exciting program are Liszt's Malediction for Piano and Strings and the ever-popular Octet by Felix Mendelssohn arranged for string orchestra. The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. and takes place at Arch Street Presbyterian Church at the corner of 18^th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia.

The evening begins with a free pre-concert lecture at 7:00 p.m. byKenneth Hamilton and concludes with a post-concert reception and book signing for Hamilton's latest book, After the Golden Age: Romantic Pianism and Modern Performance. "I am thrilled to be part of this fantastic evening and to premiere Karl's new arrangement of this unique work," said Hamilton from his home in Scotland.

A world-renowned pianist and writer, Hamilton is known for his virtuoso performances of Romantic music, especially Liszt, Alkan and Busoni. His playing is characterized by spontaneity, a spectacular technique and the cultivation of a wide variety of keyboard color.  He is also well-known as an incisive and witty lecturer on music, and was awarded a doctorateby Balliol college, Oxford, for a dissertation on the music of Liszt.  He is the author of Liszt:  Sonata in B-minor, and the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Liszt.

Founded in 1993 by Karl Middleman, the Philadelphia Classical Symphony is a professional chamber orchestra committed to discovering new waysto tell the history of music to today's audiences.  Symphony presentationsare organized around specific themes and frequently include multi-disciplinary participatory activities designed to illuminate historical practices and to promote awareness of the cultural diversity that shapes musical tradition. 

 Karl Middleman, Artistic Director

Kenneth Hamilton