German Pianist, Composer to Give Concert of Popular Gershwin Tunes

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Ratko Delorko

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – German pianist and composer Ratko Delorko will present the virtuoso piano oeuvre of the American composer George Gershwin at 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the Fine Arts Center’s Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall. This is Delorko’s second visit to the university.

“I enjoyed my first stay so much and was impressed by how nice and attentive the students were,” he said. “We obtained remarkable results in a relatively short time. We videotaped all lessons and lectures so that the students could easily follow up and share the results in the class.

“It is essential for students, the upcoming generation of performers and teachers, not only to hear the professor’s good advice but then to see it happen on stage and get motivated by this experience.”

Delorko’s recital will feature Three Preludes, Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue and The Complete Gershwin Songbooks, the most famous pieces and hits from Gershwin’s revues and musicals. Out of the original Rhapsody in Blue, scored for two pianos, Delorko has created a new version for one pianist. The pieces in the Songbooks are very brief, 18 songs in 26 minutes.

“This presents all the themes, remaining as true to the original as possible and, in its sheer orchestral virtuosity, even excelling the impetus of the symphonic version,” said Delorko of the Rhapsody in Blue arrangement.

“It is an astounding metamorphosis from which the seriousness of Gershwin’s voice as a composer rings true and clear,” he said of the Songbooks.

Delorko focuses on music for piano, chamber music, opera and ballet, and electronic music.  He has conducted master classes in Malaysia, Russia, Italy, China and the U.S. He also lectures at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in the German state of Hesse.

His most recent album was released on MAP Records last month and will be available at the concert.