Renee Rosenow

UW-Eau Claire has been recognized as having a strong music program for its undergrads.

One of the reasons for its recognition is because the Department of Music and Theatre Arts offers over one hundred concerts and recitals each year and is recognized for its consistently fine performances.

Alexandre Tharaud, an internationally recognized pianist, will present a recital tonight hosted by the Artist’s Series at Eau Claire. As part of the second half of the program, the University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nobuyoshi Yasuda, will be joining Tharaud as well.

According to Tharaud’s official Web site, he graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, France. Tharaud started his international career when he won the 2nd Prize at the ARD Music Competition in Munich, Germany.

Accordin to Tharaud’s site, much of his music is dedicated to French music but devotes his activities to chamber music as well, performing at concert halls all around Europe, and North and South America and Asia.

Tharaud and his albums are mostly dedicated to the music of Rameau, Ravel, Bach, Chopin and Couperin, and have received many positive critics all over the world.

At the concert tonight Tharaud will start the program with Ravel’s “Sonatine,” “Miroirs” and “Le Tombeau de Couperin,” which are inspired by the sounds of jazz, Asian music and European folk songs.

Freshman Kayla Erdmann believes that Tharaud’s performance is a great opportunity for those students who enjoy classical music.

“I am not familiar with his work, but his background sounds really interesting,” Erdmann said. “I might go check it out, besides it is a unique opportunity to watch a performance like that.”

University Symphony Orchestra member junior Danielle Smith said that she is honored to play with such a great musician.

“When I heard that we were playing with Tharaud I was not sure about his performance, so I did a little research and found out what a precise musician he is,” Smith said, adding that this is a wonderful opportunity for students to be part of such a high quality concert.

“Most of the students are not interested in classical music, but I am sure if they go check out our recital on Thursday they will start thinking in a different way,” Smith said.

The recital is at 7:30 p.m. in Gantner Concert Hall, Haas Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available at the Service Center in Davies Center and will be sold at the door as well.

Tickets are $17 for the general public, and $15 for ages 62 and older and faculty and staff. Tickets for students and those 17 and younger are $7. Student tickets are half-price at $3.50 until the day of the event. They will have to pay full price for tickets on the day of the event.