West Virginia University piano professor Christine Kefferstan and several of her students will present a lecture and recital session on Friday (Nov. 12) as part of the first ever joint conference between the West Virginia Music Teachers Association and Virginia Music Teachers Association, to be held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

The students attending are Joyce Wang, currently studying for a master’s degree; Sheila Barnhart, a doctoral student; and Arthur de Amorim, David Ruckle and Courtney Martin, who are all studying for a bachelor’s degree in music.

This lecture and recital is a collaboration between the WVU students and Dr. Kefferstan, who will present three Mozart works transcribed by Ferrucio Busoni, including “Duettino concertante,” based on “Piano Concerto in F, K. 459,” transcribed in 1919; “Fantasia for Musical Clock Work, K. 608,” transcribed in 1922; and “Magic Flute Overture.”

According to Kefferstan, Busoni is commonly known as a transcriber of Bach, but few know him as a transcriber of Mozart, although he made 30 transcriptions of Mozart’s works.

“This studio project introduces students to Busoni, perhaps the greatest pianist ever, while honing collaborative skills,” she said.

“These delightful and fun to play transcriptions display ingenious interplay between two pianos and they offer abundant challenges in settings that are fresh and engaging.

“Mozart and Busoni were brilliant and inspired pianists with early careers that astounded their peers; however, virtuosity for its own sake is not the primary focus. Faithful to Mozart’s classical style, the Busoni transcriptions demand clarity of the lines and structures.”

Recognized by the WVU Division of Music and by the West Virginia Music Teachers Association for her excellence in teaching, Kefferstan teaches graduate and undergraduate piano majors at WVU. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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