Cleveland-based pianist Terry Boyarsky (best known as half of Russian Duo) presents “Classical Expressions of the Folk Tradition,” a program featuring rarely heard music from Bartók to Bach, all inspired by ethnic dance and music from the villages of Armenia, Afghanistan, Rumania, Russia, and more, many displaying unusual modes and meters. Other composers whose works will be performed include Komitas (the father of Armenian classical music) and G. I. Gurdjieff (the noted Armenian-Greek mystical teacher of sacred dance and ritual music), arranged and notated by his colleague Thomas de Hartmann.

 

Many of the pieces on the program are essentially musical “translations,” adapting folk instruments and genres (including dervish dances and a Russian Orthodox-inspired hymn) to the modern classical piano, and, as such, call for unique pianistic styles. Over the course of the concert, mysterious connections between the pieces will gradually become apparent to listeners.

 

The event will feature hearty and delicious home-cooked Eastern European foods (served at no additional charge), including borscht, blini, and kvass.