Apr 26 Friday
Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane presents Magnificent Bird, an album of songs written in self-imposed isolation, a full year off the internet. The album has received critical acclaim and showcases Kahane’s talent for crafting songs that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving. A storyteller who blends indie pop and classical music with poignant lyrics to create narratives of contemporary societal themes, Kahane is also a writer who has been published in The New York Times; an educator for Princeton University; and theater artist whose work has been seen at the Public Theater and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Apr 27 Saturday
Pears Mill, an 1857 water-powered mill in Buchanan, Michigan’s downtown National Register Historic District, is open 9am to 1 pm each Saturday this summer. The mill is adjacent to the Buchanan Farmers’ Market, which is in operation during the same hours. There is no charge.
Desirae Brown – Deondra Brown – Gregory Brown – Melody Brown – Stephen Beus
What an entertaining afternoon for the family: five incredible pianists on five grand pianos. Most are siblings, and all attended The Juilliard School. The 5 Browns are known for a fun, relaxed introduction to classical music for everyone. The group will play spectacular arrangements of music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Gerswhin, and more. Dubbed the “Fab Five” by People, Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra, and Desirae have been featured on shows including Oprah, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, National Public Radio’s Performance Today, and in magazines including The New York Times, Parade, Los Angeles Times, and Sunday London Telegraph.
Revered for her interpretations of Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven, Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires will visit as part of a national U.S. tour that includes stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Known for her delicate touch and profound musicality, join us to hear a legend of the piano world share her gift for intimate storytelling. She has said “Music and art are the deepest expressions of our soul and the direct transmission of our universe.”
6:30 pm Concert preview with Dr. David Abbott, Dalton Lecture Hall
Apr 28 Sunday
In COUNTERPOINT, 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Conrad Tao and acclaimed dancer Caleb Teicher explore how the percussion of piano and tap relate to one another. Featuring music by Bach, Tatum, Schoenberg, and Gershwin, and the world premiere of a Gilmore commission by Conrad Tao. Tao and Teicher first collaborated in 2013 in Miami as teenagers and former prodigies who had already spent many years in training. Ten-plus years together has only sharpened their dialogue.
Born in 2005, Harmony Zhu began piano study at The Juilliard School at age eight, with teachers including Emanuel Ax and Veda Kaplinsky. She was recognized as a Young Steinway Artist at age 10 and made her debut at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium at age 14. She won the 2021 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, becoming the youngest artist on the YCA roster. Named a 2024 Gilmore Young Artist in 2023, she is a student at the Brearley School in New York, class of 2024. Ms. Zhu will play selections by Chopin, Hayden, Schumann and Scriabin. Ms. Zhu's performance is presented by Sunday Afternoon Live in partnership with the Gilmore Piano Festival.
Sunday Afternoon Live! concerts are free to the public and include a family friendly reception where patrons can meet the artists and enjoy fellowship with each other.
The mission of Sunday Afternoon Live! is to enrich the cultural life of the greater Battle Creek Community and to continue the tradition of the First Congregational Church as a patron of artistic creativity and expression. We endeavor to do this by sponsoring a series of free concerts that present musical artistry that is exciting, beautiful, varied and enjoyable. We will underwrite the concerts by means of donors and sponsors in order to make the concerts available to the entire community.
Doors: 6:00PM | Show: 7:00PM
Embark on an unparalleled musical journey with Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd at the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre on Sunday, April 28. This extraordinary event invites fans to delve into the legendary world of Pink Floyd, offering an immersive tribute that captures the essence of the band’s groundbreaking psychedelia and rock prowess. Set against the backdrop of KST’s renowned ambiance, the evening promises a fusion of spellbinding visuals, innovative audio, and captivating performances. Don’t miss your chance to secure a spot in the audience – tickets for this spectacular homage to Pink Floyd’s indelible legacy go on sale this Friday, February 9.
About to Floyd Nation:
Attending a Floyd Nation concert is so much more than listening to live music and watching a light show. This group delivers an authentic experience connecting them to their fans on a deep and soulful level. Some call it theater, others call it brilliant, and most say if you close your eyes you’ll swear you’re listening to Pink Floyd themselves.
Composed of a group of US-based musicians who are true fans of the music, Floyd Nation strives to carefully re-create the music, and more importantly the “feel” of Pink Floyd. They then deliver it with an impactful and highly personal experience.
Their concerts span a vast collection of albums such as The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, Animals, Wish You Were Here, Meddle and The Division Bell.
Floyd Nation embodies the art, legacy and spirit of Pink Floyd that conveys a deep respect for the music created by one of the most awe-inspiring bands to ever take the world stage.
When you attend one of Floyd Nation’s live performances you’ll be immersed in sound, lights, and lasers. You’ll quickly develop an emotional connection to the group as they take you on an epic journey, bringing back your best memories of the greatest music ever created.
GrammyⓇ Award-winning Eliane Elias is an internationally acclaimed recording artist, pianist, singer, composer, and arranger from Brazil who blends South American roots and sultry voice with pianistic mastery. Her live performances showcase her charismatic personality, and talents in jazz, Brazilian, classical, and pop music. She has collaborated with some of the world’s most important jazz artists, including Chick Corea. Her album Mirror Mirror won the 2022 Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Apr 29 Monday
2006 Gilmore Artist and winner of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Fliter will present Chopin’s 3rd Piano Sonata, Op. 58 and Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13. Ms. Fliter’s delicate touch and profound interpretations of classical compositions will spotlight the centuries-long staying power of these works. As one of the pre-eminent exponents of Chopin’s music, her recording of the complete Chopin Waltzes received five star reviews and was chosen as Editor’s Choice in both Gramophone and Classic FM Magazine.
1 pm Concert preview with Dr. Zaide Pixley, Dalton Lecture Hall
Pianist Awadagin Pratt and the Sphinx Virtuosi (launched in Ann Arbor, Michigan) will perform Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 1, and a new concerto by Xavier Foley, among other works. Sphinx Virtuosi features the nation’s top Black and LatinX musicians, a group of 38 soloists dedicated to increasing diversity in classical music. They will perform with esteemed classical pianist Awadagin Pratt, who has performed throughout the US at major venues including Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and Carnegie Hall. Pratt is Professor of Piano at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and Artistic Director of their Art of the Piano Festival.