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Watch and Listen: Stories and Music of Bernstein Performed by Jeffrey Siegel on WRTI

Among his accolades, pianist Jeffrey Siegel has been praised by The Washington Post for his "pianistic eloquence with a special gift for commentary." Host of Keyboard Conversations, the touring series of concerts with commentary, Siegel plays and talks about Leonard Bernstein and his music with WRTI’s Kevin Gordon in advance of his appearance at the Kimmel Center. 

Watch the performance live on the WRTI Facebook page

Chicago-born, Juillard-trained Siegel spent his early career soloing with orchestras all over the world. Somewhere along the way, he discovered great joy in not only playing but in researching and talking about the music.

His Keyboard Conversations, now with stops in over 20 cities each year, feature full performances with commentary—ranging from historical insights, to how a piece might be constructed, to relationships that may have influenced the creation of the music.

One of his great influences in this endeavor? Leonard Bernstein. Here he talks about his experiences with Bernstein and plays music by the composer, including some of Siegel's own piano arrangements.

Program:

Bernstein, Candide Overture (piano arrangment by Jeffrey Siegel)

Bernstein: West Side Story excerpts (piano excerpts by Jeffrey Siegel)

Three Bernstein Anniversaries

  • To Aaron Copland
  • To Felicia Bernstein on her 52nd Birthday (and 26th Anniversary with the composer)
  • To Helen Coats in Memorium

Information about Jeffrey Siegel's performance at the Kimmel Center on October 15 at 7:30 pm

Susan writes and produces stories about music and the arts. She’s host and producer of WRTI’s TIME IN online interview series, and contributes weekly intermission interviews for The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert series. She’s also been a regular host of WRTI’s Live from the Performance Studio sessions.