Chopin and Liszt: Poets of the Piano with Gil Harel

Attention Music Lovers!  Gil Harel is back to speak about Chopin and Liszt and their celebrated works on the piano.

The 19th century saw significant advances in the mechanical design of pianos. What had in Mozart's day been a comparatively small and limited instrument had evolved into a sturdier, larger one with a more vibrant sound. The Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and his Hungarian contemporary, Franz Liszt, were among the post-Beethoven composers who focused most of their efforts into writing for the piano. In the process, they created etudes, nocturnes, waltzes, sonatas, ballades, rhapsodies, and more. These works would revolutionize the canon of piano repertoire, allowing the ambitious pianists to glory in music of exceptional expressivity (and difficulty). Join Professor Gil Harel as he investigates celebrated works from the treasure trove these two composers bequeathed unto posterity.

About Gil Harel

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western classical repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching").

Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 4 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.