Peter Serkin
Tue., Dec. 12, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.
classical
If Wikipedia needed an entry for iconoclastic classical pianist, Peter Serkin would fit the slot with ease. Serkin, son of the legendary Rudolf and proud product of the Curtis atelier, has the stature and reputation to do whatever he wants, as witnessed by the unusual lineup for his upcoming Perelman recital. His material ranges several centuries, including Bach and Des Prez, then jumping to recent music of Takemitsu and Carter, composers who customized new music specifically for Serkin. Falling somewhat in the middle of this timeline we find Beethoven, with his massive Hammerklavier sonata, and by far, the most radical and imaginative work on the program. This is one of Beethoven's late piano sonatas, and as it was written after the invention of the metronome, he was able to assign an accurate tempo to the music. The revealed speed turns out to be astonishingly fleet, and most pianists simply ignore the suggestion. Not Serkin. His Hammerklavier has been, both on record and in concert, as close to the official speed as anybody. The effect is more than riveting, and anybody remotely interested in this music should hear and mind it: Serkin's Beethoven is one of the most significant musical artistic achievements of our times.
Tue., Dec. 12, 8 p.m., $26, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-569-8080, www.kimmelcenter.org.
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