One of America’s most talented pianists (Musical America’s 2014 Instrumentalist of the Year), and thought-provoking writers on music, Jeremy Denk (2014 Ojai Music Festival Music Director) expounds upon the magic of music making—from learning how to practice and the daily rites of discovery, to the mastery of reasoning with your muscles and the sheer joy of no longer needing to think. Denk illuminates the paradox of seeking perfection while full knowing the possibilities are infinite.
American pianist Jeremy Denk has steadily built a reputation as an unusual and compelling artist with a broad and thought-provoking repertoire. In 2013 he became a MacArthur Grant recipient and was named Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. He has appeared as a soloist with many major orchestras in the USA and abroad and regularly gives recitals around the United States. Denk is the artistic director of the 2014 Ojai Music Festival, for which he is also composing the libretto to a semi-satirical opera. He is also known for his witty and personal writing in the New Yorker, New York Times Book Review,Newsweek and NPR Music’s website and for his blog Think Denk.
Jeffrey Kahane, equally at home at the keyboard or on the podium, has established an international reputation as a truly versatile artist, recognized around the world for his mastery of diverse repertoire ranging from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to Gershwin, Golijov and John Adams. Now in his 17th season as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, he previously served as music director of the Colorado and Santa Rosa symphonies. He has garnered tremendous critical acclaim for his innovative programming and commitment to education and community involvement and received multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming for his work in both Los Angeles and Denver.