NEWS updated August 2009

links to additional sources

NATIONAL NEWS MEDIA HAIL UNCOVERING OF SCHUMANN SKETCH

In July 2009, Frederick Moyer and his uncle, Dr. Paul Green, tracked down a fragmentary fourth piano sonata of the great romantic pioneer, Robert Schumann.

Their work has been praised by key figures in the classical music news media including writers from the Chicago Tribune, the New Yorker, the Washington Post, and the Baltimore Sun.

John von Rhein of the Chicago Tribune states “One can only guess how Schumann might have fleshed out the sketches had he not set the composition aside. Moyer's Playing of the music that is there is so good as to make one regret the music that will never be.” Alex Ross of the New Yorker says that Moyer's recording of the sketch is “expertly, sensitively done,” then adds “The first sketch is nothing much. But the music of the finale, marked ‘Agitato’ is riveting, especially in a quiet C-minor episode interwoven with a downward lamenting pattern. The ending is painful, because you want to hear what happens next. For whatever reason, Schumann stopped.”

With help from Stanford University, Green and Moyer acquired electronic copies of the sketch, transcribed them, and entered the score into clean computerized format. Moyer has also recorded the music. On July 26. 2009, this unknown music was made available to the public for the first time on Moyer's website, www.frederickmoyer.com. On the site are a link to a downloadable edited version of the piece, and an extensive monograph by Green describing his search, work, and the sonata's historical significance. The site also features a downloadable application that plays a recorded performance by Moyer synchronized with a measure-by-measure display of both autograph and transcription.

JAZZ ARTS TRIO

Fred has reunited with the members of a jazz trio that he played with in high school. Aptly named the Jazz Arts Trio, they have embarked on an exciting project recreating famous recordings of trios led by pianists Oscar Peterson, Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and others. [link to Jazzartstrio page]

Jazz Arts Trio: Peter Fraenkel (drums), Fred Moyer, Peter Tillotson (bass)

The Group released its first CD, “Tribute” in November 2008, and after only a few short weekss following its release is already receiving rave reviews.

Reviews:

• “It certainly is quite a monumental undertaking to reproduce these performances of Oscar and his trio, both to capture the technical wizardry and artistic sensitivity of Oscar's playing and to also render well the significantly worked out arrangements by the trio, and Moyer and his trio do both impressively.” Cadence (July-Aug-Sept 2009)
• “An important addition to the jazz genre.” jazz.com
• “A jazz trio to be reckoned with … succeeds where other jazz trios fall light in that they renew our hopes about the staying power of our beloved jazz idiom.” ejazznews.com
• “Quite unique in concept, with a bravo performance.” jazzweekly.com
• “This is an impressive and sincere tribute.” allaboutjazz.com

GROUNDBREAKING RECORDING

Also receiving high acclaim is Fred’s other groundbreaking release, Edward MacDowell & Clara Schumann: Two Piano concerti.

• J122 – MacDowell/Clara Schumann/
• Edward MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 23
• Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7

Click here for more information. [link to Recordings page]

American Record Guide states: “Moyer presents MacDowell's solo part in a vivid, lively, well-articulated interpretation that will likely give the listener enjoyment after repeated listing.” And about the Schumann Concerto: “Mr. Moyer’s masterly, lavish handling of the solo part makes this more of a grand sonata with orchestra accompaniment. He brings power, poetry and commitment to the music.”

UPCOMING CONCERTS

Upcoming concerts in 2009-10 include a pair of excellent minor key concerti, Tchaikovsky's popular Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23, and Rachmaninoff's techinically demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30.

Written by Fred’s cousin, Ruthann Moyer, A Stolen Childhood: The Life and Times of David Earl Moyer, traces the life of a child prodigy who at an early age began performing throughout the US as part of a vaudeville circuit. The recital examines works of this seminal age where virtuoso pianists dazzled, and emoted in the style of the late romantics, and forward-thinking composers such as Debussy and Schoenberg changed the language of music forever. Throughout the recital Fred relays his grandfather's childhood experiences, adding a personal connection to the music.

Back to top

“A first-class young pianist. His playing is clean, unmannered and full of ideas and intelligence.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES