Re-Discover Conrad Tao

Junction Trio's Metro Detroit Debut on April 20th
Steve Update - April 12, 2024

 

Dear Friends,

In January 2012, a 17-year-old prodigy named Conrad Tao made his concerto debut with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the Saint-Saëns second piano concerto. Two years later (as many of you may remember) he returned to Orchestra Hall to play the Beethoven first piano concerto to wild critical acclaim. I was not there in person, but I heard about it from multiple members of our audience, including several board members, who wanted very much for me to program him on a concert at Chamber Music Detroit as soon as possible. He’s been on my mind ever since!

Today at 29 years old, Conrad Tao is no longer a child prodigy; he’s a seasoned veteran with a well-established international career. Many saw that coming, of course, but such an outcome is never a foregone conclusion for even the most talented child prodigies. Too many fizzle out after a few pleasing years in the limelight, as other wildly gifted youngsters rise up eagerly to take their place.

Not so with Conrad!

So what makes Conrad different?

Simply put: Conrad Tao is a complete musician, excelling in an uncommonly wide range of musical talents and interests, and above all, an inexorable passion for music itself. He’s a man on a mission!

As expected, Conrad plays regularly as a piano soloist with the top orchestras in the world. But did you know he is also a fine composer? Among his compositions have been commissions by the New York Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. His unconventional solo recitals are adventures, juxtaposing new works by himself and others, alongside classics from multiple genres. Try mixing Rachmaninoff and Billy Strayhorn, for example!

Most importantly for us, Conrad is also an avid chamber musician, who founded the Junction Trio with his equally talented friends: violinist Stefan Jackiw and cellist Jay Campbell. In this capacity music lovers in Metro Detroit have another golden opportunity to experience Conrad again, as the Junction Trio makes its Southeast Michigan debut on Chamber Music Detroit’s Signature Series at the Seligman Performing Arts Series this Saturday, April 20, at 8pm.

The trio’s concert program reflects the equal passion these three amazing musicians share for classics, 20th century modernists, and the new music of our own time. First there’s Philosophical Investigations, a recent trio by John Zorn, an eclectic celebrated New York composer who defies conventional musical labels and works across multiple musical styles (he’s also a close collaborator with the trio’s cellist, Jay Campbell). Then comes a similarly eclectic early 20th century classic, the piano trio by Charles Ives, a delightfully quirky piece last performed here nearly 25 years ago by the Beaux Arts Trio (who loved it and played it often). Following intermission we’ll hear the sumptuously beautiful D minor trio by Robert Schumann, which needs no introduction.

Three very different masterpieces in the inspired hands of three of today’s most gifted young masters!

Please join us in this amazing musical adventure – in person or online – and help us welcome Conrad Tao and his friends to Metro Detroit!

 
 

We’ll see you at the concert.

Warmly,
Steve

 

Steve Wogaman, President
Chamber Music Detroit
313-335-3350, ext. 4 or Steve@CMDetroit.org