Conrad Tao

Experience a mesmerizing journey into the soul of piano music with the concert film “Conrad Tao.” After his celebrated 2023 CSO subscription debut, pianist Conrad Tao invites you to explore a carefully curated program that weaves George Gershwin’s iconic tunes with the subtle hues of Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann. The set opens with Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” and an electrifying “Clap Yo’ Hands” before slipping into Alexander Schoenberg’s “Klavierstück, Op. 33a,” a juxtaposition that keeps the energy dynamic. Guest arranger Conrad Tao then invites you into an improvisational dialogue with Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Var. 15,” a dazzling display of virtuosity. The film continues through the lyrical charm of “All By Myself” (arr. Tao), the shimmering “Over the Rainbow” (arr. Tatum), and into Sé Rachmaninoff’s original “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” A playful interpretation of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” (arr. Tao) follows, leading to the ragtime sparkle of Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.” Saxophones of musical history reverberate with another Schoenberg, this time “Klavierstück, Op. 33b,” and Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s cinematic “Randy and Drake from the film Kings Row.” Closing the show, Gershwin returns with the heartfelt “I Loves You, Porgy” and the irrepressible “I Got Rhythm,” before a sublime “Rhapsody in Blue” rescues the finale. In between, Debussy’s “Pour les arpèges composés” and Ravel’s “Sonatine” showcase delicate European color, and Strayhorn’s “Chelsea Bridge” (arr. Tao) offers a smooth, jazzy conclusion. “Conrad Tao” is a visual and auditory celebration that showcases the breadth of twentieth‑century piano repertoire. For full details and tickets, visit our website.