Nicholas Ross - Guest Artist Piano Recital

Nick Ross will perform a program of piano music for the left hand alone. The program includes the celebrated Bach-Brahms Chaconne, Scriabin's Prelude and Nocturne Op. 9, Sonata No. 6 ("Black Elk") by American composer Kent Holliday, transcriptions and arrangements of music by Albeniz and Leopold Godowsky by Nick Ross, and ends with original works by Godowsky.

Nick has also performed music by early Twentieth Century composers Erwin Schulhoff, Ravel, Prokofiev and newly commissioned music for the left hand alone. Inspired by the resilience of left-handed pianist Paul Wittgenstein, Nick turned to this relatively unknown yet rich and rewarding genre after sustaining nerve injury in his right arm and hand. In 2018, he spent his sabbatical researching, studying, and performing music by Polish American virtuoso composer Leopold Godowsky. This sabbatical resulted in his latest recording, Leopold Godowsky: Apostle of the Left Hand (Centaur Records Inc., CRC 3754). The recording has received critical international praise for his playing and extensive notes: “The notes, by the pianist, are exceptional as is the playing. […] All is played with an abundance of expression and security of execution-no mean accomplishment considering the demands made on the pianist.” (American Record Guide) “[…] A very worthy addition to the Godowsky discography.” (Fanfare Magazine).  Nick is a Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, where he is the director of the keyboard studies program.