UTSA School of Music Presents En Vivo Artist Series
Todd Van Kekerix
A captivating exploration of piano artistry, featuring two evocative suites by Maurice Ravel and Fazıl Say.
Maurice Ravel – Gaspard de la nuit
Maurice Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit (1875–1937), inspired by Aloysius Bertrand’s poetry, is a cornerstone of the piano repertoire. Its three movements—“Ondine,” “Le Gibet,” and “Scarbo”—are known for their technical complexity and imaginative storytelling, transforming the piano into an orchestra of soundscapes.
Fazıl Say – Izmir Suite, Op. 79
Fazıl Say’s Izmir Suite (b. 1970) blends classical forms with the rich musical traditions of Turkey, capturing the vibrant spirit of Izmir. Each movement paints a vivid scene, from the tranquil Kordon to the cultural homage to composers like Brahms, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff, culminating in a dynamic finale influenced by jazz and traditional Turkish dance.
Gaspard de la nuit by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
I. Ondine
II. Le Gibet
III. Scarbo
Izmir Suite, Op. 79 by Fazil Say (b. 1970)
I. Körfez Dalgaları · Waves on the gulf
II. Brahms İzmir’de · Brahms in Izmir
III. Kordon’da sessiz Sabah · Quiet morning on the Kordon
IV. Chopin İzmir’de · Chopin in Izmir
V. Urla şiiri · Urla Poetry
VI. Rahmaninov İzmir’de · Rachmaninov in Izmir
VII. Final Caz-Zeybek · Finale Jazz-Zeybek
Guest Artist Bio
Todd Van Kekerix is an Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator of Class Piano at the University of Houston, with over twenty years of exceptional teaching experience. Before joining UH, he spent nine impactful years at The New School for Music Study in Princeton, NJ, where he honed his dual roles as a performer and educator.
An acclaimed performer, Van Kekerix has graced prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall in New York and Esterházy Palace in Austria. Beyond the concert stage, he demonstrates a strong commitment to community service, organizing biennial fundraisers that have raised over $10,000 per recital for his hometown hospital.
Internationally, Van Kekerix is a sought-after presenter, sharing his expertise at conferences like the International Conference of the Association of Music and Medicine, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and the MTNA National Conference. His workshops and recitals have reached audiences at renowned institutions such as Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Shaoxing University in China, and the University of Alberta in Canada.
As Collegiate Chapter Chair for the Texas Music Teachers Association, Van Kekerix’s research focuses on innovative approaches to piano pedagogy, including group keyboard music making, teacher expertise development, and integrating popular music into traditional teaching. His work has been widely published in respected journals such as Psychology of Music, MTNA E-Journal, and The Piano Magazine.
Celebrating the School of Art & School of Music Presents
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday, March 4th