Echoes Across Cultures, From Paris to Porgy to Ongheya: A Piano Duo Celebration

Join us for an engaging piano duo recital that brings together the charm of French music, the bold spirit of American music, and the vibrant energy of Korean folk tradition. Performed by guest artist Dr. Eun-Hee Park, assistant professor of collaborative piano at the University of South Dakota and member of the Rawlins Piano Trio, and Dr. Hyeji Seo, CSU collaborative piano faculty, this recital celebrates imagination, artistry, and the joy of making music together.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the program features George Gershwin’s exhilarating Porgy and Bess Fantasy and John Corigliano’s delightful Gazebo Dances, inspired by the lively atmosphere of small-town summer bandstands. These American selections are paired with Cécile Chaminade’s elegant Six Pièces Romantiques and Maurice Ravel’s electrifying two-piano version of La Valse, offering a richly textured journey through French color and rhythm. Adding a unique cultural dimension, the program also includes Hyunjoo Byon’s Ongheya, a contemporary work rooted in the Korean barley-threshing labor song, celebrating the strength, community, and rhythmic vitality of Korean musical heritage.