George Tsontakis, a Shokan resident and internationally acclaimed classical composer, is best known for works performed by major orchestras around the world. A professor and composer-in-residence at Bard College, Tsontakis has won two of the most prestigious awards in contemporary music: the Ives Living Award and the Grawemeyer Award. He has also served as composer-in-residence with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York City.
So why is Tsontakis curating a quirky piano concert series at a small-town library in the Catskills?
The story goes back a couple of decades, when piano technician Israel Schossov began sponsoring the Trail Mix concert series at the Olive Free Library. When Schossov left the area for another position, he left behind a beautifully restored Steinway grand piano—and an opportunity.
“It would be a waste to leave that piano unplayed,” Tsontakis said. “I’m a member of the library. It’s part of my contribution to the community. Woodstock doesn’t need any help with its arts, but the Town of Olive can use the help.”
“My reputation as a composer helps get performers, and so does the quality of the piano. The late Peter Serkin heard the piano at another concert, tried it out, and asked if he could play. Todd Crow heard the piano and wanted to play on it. The Piano Plus series is almost including the piano as a performer.”
Now entering its ninth season, the Piano Plus series begins March 29 and features three spring concerts, with an optional fourth. This season’s opening concert highlights three pianists: Daria Podorozhnova and Terri Ji, advanced students at the Manhattan School of Music, and Inesa Sinkevych, co-head of the school’s piano department.
Podorozhnova will perform Brahms’s Piano Sonata No. 2, while Ji will take on the monumental Liszt Sonata. Sinkevych, a returning favorite from previous concerts at Saugerties Pro Musica and Piano Plus, will perform the encore.
The following concerts offer further pianistic excitement. On April 12, Steve Beck, a Juilliard faculty member known for his dynamic performances, will return after a successful appearance last season. He’ll be joined by pianist Yalin Chi, this time flipping roles—Chi is Beck’s “plus.”
On May 10, the series will welcome an unexpected addition. Pianist Marilyn Crispell, a Woodstock resident and recent National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, will perform. Although Crispell doesn’t consider herself a jazz pianist—she describes her style simply as “improvising”—her musical voice is unmistakable. Crispell has recently toured with saxophonist Joe Lovano and is known for selectively appearing in local performances.
Piano Plus concerts are held Saturdays at 4 p.m. at the Olive Free Library. Advance tickets are available at olivefreelibrary.org.
Tsontakis described the audience as “a very open constituency,” and praised the library’s recent renovations. He added, with a composer’s confidence, that the concerts promise reliably high quality.
Leslie Gerber is a contributing writer. Send correspondence to reporting@theoverlooknews.com.
