Conrad Tao is an OKC Phil Sizzling Sparkler

19 year-old piano prodigy returns to OKC stage

International phenomenon, 19-year-old Conrad Tao, joins the OKC Philharmonic and Joel Levine in his second appearance with the orchestra. Tao performs the brilliant Piano Concerto No. 3 by Serge Prokofiev with the Philharmonic on January 11.The program is titled Sizzling Sparklers and opens with the brilliant and colorful music of David Diamond's Rounds for String Orchestra, a piece conducted by Maestro Levine in his debut classical concert in Oklahoma City 35 years ago.

The concert also features the Philharmonic performing the sun-drenched Italian Symphony by Felix Mendelssohn.

Conrad Tao, dubbed a musician of "probing intellect and open-hearted vision" by the New York Times, has appeared worldwide as a pianist, composer and violinist and makes his second appearance with the OKC Philharmonic.

Tao’s performance is Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 8pm at the OKC Civic Center. Tickets are available for $52, $42, $32, $22 and $15. Tickets at The Philharmonic ticket office, 428 West California, Suite 210 in downtown Oklahoma City, open from 9am to 5pm; by phone at 405-TICKETS (842-5387); online at www.okcphilharmonic.org or www.myticketoffice.com; and at The Civic Center ticket office, 201 N. Walker. Online purchases and outlet sales are subject to handling charges.

Conrad Tao was born in Urbana, Illinois. He was found playing children’s songs on the piano at 18 months of age, gave his first piano recital at age four, and at eight made his concerto debut. He is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and has a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts YoungArts gold medal in music. He has also received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.

In a review of Voyages, his debut full-length album, NPR wrote, “Tao proves himself to be a musician of deep intellectual and emotional means – as the thoughtful programming on this album…proclaims.”

During the 2013-2014 season, Conrad continues his formidable globetrotting career as a pianist, with two tours of South America; two tours of Europe; a third recital at Carnegie’s Weill Hall; and performances in North America with several major symphonies. Conrad currently attends the Columbia University/Juilliard School joint degree program.

“Sizzling Sparklers” is presented as part of the Inasmuch Classics Series and sponsored by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the Oklahoma City Orchestra League as part of their Emerging Artist Series. This performance is presented in the John and Mary Nichols Piano Series of the Philharmonic. Additional support is provided by the Allied Arts Foundation and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

The Gayly – January 6, 2014 @ 2:25pm