Auerbach/Pierce Du Performs Brahms, Mozart, Ravel, Currier, And More

Violinist Dan Auerbach and pianist Joshua Pierce, two exceptional players will share the stage in a joint debut performance on February 6, 8 PM at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Together they present an exclusive program featuring great classics: Mozart's Sonata No. 18 in G Major, K. 301, Brahms's Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108 and Ravel's Sonata No. 2. in G Major, Op. 77. The Mozart, Ravel and Brahms sonatas are paired with the Currier's modern Aftersong and Bloch's Nigun from the Baal Shem Suite. Sarasate's Introduction and Tarantella is added to showcase violinistic display.

Tickets are $35. Student tickets are free with valid student ID. Senior and group discount tickets are available at the box office. For tickets and information, contact CarnegieCharge: 212-247-7800 or visit Carnegiehall.org

Dan Auerbach and Joshua Pierce met in the 1990s through their mutual involvement with the American Festival of Microtonal Music in New York City. With that institution and others, they performed extensively throughout the Metro New York region and recorded numerous works together for the Pitch label. Performances include Merkin Hall and other venues in New York City. The Auerbach-Pierce Duo has recently released a CD "The Devil's Trill" on the MSR Classics label, a testament to their long-standing and fruitful working relationship. It has received rave reviews, cited as: "scintillating performances throughout" and "superb violin playing by Dan Auerbach and renowned pianism of Joshua Pierce".

Dan Auerbach has been hailed by the New York Times for his " ... quiet virtuosity ..." and The Village Voice cites "Violinist Dan Auerbach plays marvelously." In demand as a concerto soloist and recitalist, he has performed in major venues in New York City and has appeared as soloist at concerts in the U.S., Canada, and Israel among others. He has collaborated with members of the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and other leading ensembles. Recent highlights include a U.S. recital tour, numerous concerto and chamber music appearances in the U.S. and abroad, as well as broadcast performances.

A CD The Devil's Trill with pianist Joshua Pierce has been released on the MSR Classics Label. The CD has been hailed as "thoroughly enjoyable from first note to last" and "Auerbach's playing is first-rate". The CD features a world premiere of Alois Hába's Hudba for solo violin, a microtonal work. Magil, in American Record Guide, writes that "Auerbach is fully in command of this work."

A strong proponent of new music, Dan Auerbach has performed and toured extensively with ensembles Continuum, the New Juilliard Ensemble, and members of the American Composers Orchestra. He has also collaborated with leading composers Fred Lerdahl, Sebastian Currier, Bright Sheng, and La Monte Young. A long-time specialist in microtonal music, he has toured throughout Europe and New York City with the American Festival of Microtonal Music (AFMM).

Award-winning pianist Joshua Pierce has recorded more than 230 works on more than 65 discs for MSR Classics, Albany, Carlton Classics, EMI Classics, Sony Classical, among others. The complete piano concertos of Beethoven, Brahms, Gershwin, and Liszt for MSR Classics figure prominently among his recorded output. Classical Net Magazine has said, "Joshua Pierce possesses an arsenal of pianistic talents that can astonish the ear and instruct the mind." He has concertized prolifically in the US, Mexico, South America, England, Europe, and Asia and has won great critical acclaim for his versatility, power and unique sincerity of his performances.

A major proponent of contemporary music, Pierce maintained a 30-year association with composer John Cage during which time he gave many premiere performances and released numerous landmark first recordings of his work. He has introduced Cage's work to Eastern Europe and his historical performances of John Cage, Charles Ives and Ivan Wyschnegradsky on "Joshua Pierce: 'Live' at the Dom/Alternativa Festival 2000/Moscow, Russia" (SoLyd Records 0303) was the first "live" performance and is recognized to be the first recording by a Western artist in post-Soviet Russia.

Mr. Pierce has a multitude of Grammy Award nominations to his credit, the Diapason Award (France); Fono Forum Award (Germany), the coveted German Music Critics Award. He has served as a judge for many regional and international music competitions, on the Board of the International Fulbright Commission and is the current President of the Board of Directors of AFMM.