Jeffrey Siegel, a Fulbright scholar and Juilliard alumni, is an internationally renowned
pianist with a global career. He has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow State Symphony, the New York
Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Siegel is particularly popular at
Munson for his Keyboard Conversation series. This series combines interactive
concerts with engaging stories about famous composers and pianists. It appeals to both
seasoned concertgoers and newcomers who are unfamiliar with such anecdotal insights.
The Keyboard Conversation series has been broadcasted to over 150 cities nationwide
via public broadcasting channels. It is also available on DVD and CD. The series
features romantic music by Chopin in “The Miracles of Mozart,” and “The Power and
Passion,” which was recorded in London.
On one special evening, the presentation titled “Dance for the Ears” was featured.
During this event, Siegel explained how many renowned composers were inspired by
popular dances. He highlighted several dances, including the waltz and the flamenco,
among others.
Waltz in E flat major op 18 by Frederick Chopin incorporated mazurkas, which are a
type of Polish folk dance, along with polonaises. Jeffrey informed us that Chopin was
inspired by dancers from Spain, Ukraine, France, and Italy. He also highlighted some
famous Spanish dancers and composers who were not recognized in the 18th century.
One such composer was Manuel de Falla, active between 1876 and 1946. He composed notable pieces like the Ritual Fire Dance and the Miller Dance. Manuel de Falla is credited with ”popularizing Spanish compositions and making the Flamenco famous.
Jeffrey also mentioned another Spanish pianist, Enrique Granados. He reminded us
that these compositions are considered timeless and classic.
During the interactive question and answer portion of the show, an audience member
asked Mr. Siegel about his favorite piece of music and composer. He expressed his joy
in introducing new music to audiences who are not familiar with classical music or
piano. He shared an anecdote about Bach’s influence on Beethoven, noting the similar
attributes they shared. He mentioned that in the last decades of their lives, both Bach
and Beethoven withdrew from public performances to focus more deeply on their craft.
Mr. Siegel is a Steinway artist. You can find more information on his website at
KeyboardsConversation.com. If you’re interested in seeing him perform, he will be back
at Munson for another edition of Keyboards Conversations. This edition will feature
different genres of music and is titled “A Few of Our Favorite Things.” It is scheduled for April 5th , 2025, at 2 p.m. Consider getting your tickets now.
