Pianist Conrad Tao, “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music” (New York Magazine), returns to Cal Performances after a memorable outing as composer and performer for Caleb Teicher’s tap dance creation More Forever during the 2021–22 season. Tao is admired for his risk-taking and for the rigorous attention he gives his programs, which often juxtapose new and old works. He says he was “thinking about fairy tales and poetry” in assembling the program for this recital, which intersperses Brahms’ Op. 118 Klavierstücke and David Fulmer’s I have loved a stream and a shadow… with works by Rebecca Saunders and Todd Moellenberg. Ravel’s fiercely challenging three-part Gaspard de la nuit takes Aloysius Bertrand’s book of fantastical poems as both title and inspiration.

This performance is made possible, in part, by Jeffrey MacKie-Mason & Janet Netz.