TENAFLY—Piano teacher Jason Hart is stepping up to the keyboard himself as part of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly’s fall cultural program on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4:30 p.m.
The beautiful main sanctuary of the Magnolia Avenue church will resonate with the gorgeous sounds of Chopin’s complete 24 Preludes, Op. 28 — a rare chance to hear all of this incredible music in one concert program.
Hart is a music educator, and he will provide background information for the set as well as guide the audience on what to listen out for as they take in the individual pieces. The preludes showcase a variety of moods and techniques, from lyrical and introspective to vibrant and dramatic, and reveal how Chopin was a musical pioneer and a composer of great emotional depth.
Hart is the founder and main teacher of Hart Music Studios of Tenafly. He began playing piano at age 8 and has worked professionally as a pianist for over 25 years, performing as a solo pianist, accompanist, and church musician.
Hart made his New York City debut at the Harvard Club of New York in 2005, followed by recitals at St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan and St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue. He also performed in some of NYC’s legendary cabaret hotspots, including the Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
In 2003, he was a scholarship winner to the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where he made his international debut collaborating with fine singers from all over the world. He has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Peter Serkin, Jon Nakamatsu, and Paul Posnak.
The performance is part of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly’s cultural outreach program, which aims to build relationships in the community through events such as book launches, concerts, and art events. Collaborations with local artists are one of the church’s special features.
Pastor Martin Ritchie tells Northern Valley Press, “We’re really looking forward to hosting Jason and to the wonderful music. We love showcasing local performers in our acoustically excellent spaces. It’s great to build relationships through sharing the beauty and power of the arts.”
Admission is free with an opportunity to donate to the Arts Outreach Fund of the church. Everyone is welcome.