Piano Recital Heather O’Donnell

Even today, at the beginning of the 21st century, resonances of the music of Charles Ives (1874-1954) can still be heard in contemporary music. Composers from different aesthetic backgrounds cite Ives’ works as an important influence on their own work. To mark the 50th anniversary of Charles Ives’ death, the American pianist Heather O'Donnell has commissioned seven composers to compose a new piano piece.

In dialogue with Ives’ own piano works, the programme takes up several contemporary manifestations of Ives' influence through the new pieces: uncompromising individuality, progressiveness, idealism, improvisational approaches, integration of elements from commercial or popular music, political commitment or the practice of the pianist-composer.