Archives Events

Domenico Scarlatti - Sonatas for Harpsichord

All-Scarlatti Concert
Trevor Stephenson, harpsichord
Sunday March 28, 2021 3-5 pm
3-3:30 pm Zoom Lecture
3:30-4:30 pm viewing of high-def performance by Trevor Stephenson (recorded Feb.-March 2021)
4:40-5 pm Question & Answer period via Zoom
Admission $35 per household. Email trevor@trevorstephenson.com to sign up.

by admin23

Class on the Keyboard Music of J. S. Bach - May 11, 18, 25, 6-7:15 pm

Harpsichordist Trevor Stephenson will give a three-part class on selected keyboard music by J. S. Bach. Repertoire will focus on the Inventions, French Suites, English Suites, and The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I. Topics of discussion: Tempo and tempo flexibility, articulation, fingering, Bach's approach to form and phrase structure, large-scale form and dramatic structure spanning several movements, Well-tempered tuning, mechanics and quilling of the harpsichord, spiritual and metaphysical issues, relationship between the eternal and the everyday.

The three 75-minute classes will take place at Trevor's home-studio in Madison. Attendees should be vaccinated, and should wear masks during the classes. Attendees will be socially distanced within the room. Class size limited to 15. Two days before each class, students will receive a pdf--with Trevor's fingerings clearly indicated--of the main work to be discussed that week. If you wish to take the course but not attend in person a zoom link to the class will be sent to you. Reading knowledge of music suggested.

Enrollment is $75 for the course.
Please email trevor@trevorstephenson.com to sign up.

by admin23

J. S. Bach - Harpsichord Music Concert

Harpsichordist Trevor Stephenson will give a one-hour concert-lecture featuring selected keyboard music by J. S. Bach from the French Suites, English Suites, and The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I. Trevor will briefly discuss the background and the structure of the repertoire and will also demonstrate how 18th-century Well-Tempered tuning helps bring the expressive possibilities of the music into keener relief.

The performance will take place at Trevor and Rose Stephenson's home-studio in Madison. Because of the pandemic, attendance is limited to 40%, and we ask that the audience be masked during the event. If you are part of a small group, a pod, and are happy to sit in adjacent seats, please let us know ahead of time. We also ask that audience members be vaccinated. The weather in Madison during the later part of May is usually comfortable, so we will have many windows open in the house for air circulation. When the music portion of the program is over, everyone will retire to the outdoor back garden for liquid refreshment (BYOB if you like) and discussion. In the event that the weather is extremely cold or stormy, we will notify patrons by email the morning of the event, and the concert will be rescheduled; for patrons who cannot attend the rescheduled event, tickets will be fully refunded.

Please email trevor@trevorstephenson.com if you'd like to attend. Reservations are required.
This concert will be given twice: Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23, both events start at 6 pm. The performance and lecture will be filmed. All those attending the concert in-person will receive (by May 27) a complimentary private link to the video of the concert. If you wish to see the concert and the lecture, but cannot attend in-person, you may purchase ($40) the private link to the video. The video link will be active from May 27-June 30. Contact Trevor by email for further details.

by admin23

J. S. Bach - Harpsichord Music Concert

Harpsichordist Trevor Stephenson will give a one-hour concert-lecture featuring selected keyboard music by J. S. Bach from the French Suites, English Suites, and The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I. Trevor will briefly discuss the background and the structure of the repertoire and will also demonstrate how 18th-century Well-Tempered tuning helps bring the expressive possibilities of the music into keener relief.

The performance will take place at Trevor and Rose Stephenson's home-studio in Madison. Because of the pandemic, attendance is limited to 40%, and we ask that the audience be masked during the event. If you are part of a small group, a pod, and are happy to sit in adjacent seats, please let us know ahead of time. We also ask that audience members be vaccinated. The weather in Madison during the later part of May is usually comfortable, so we will have many windows open in the house for air circulation. When the music portion of the program is over, everyone will retire to the outdoor back garden for liquid refreshment (BYOB if you like) and discussion. In the event that the weather is extremely cold or stormy, we will notify patrons by email the morning of the event, and the concert will be rescheduled; for patrons who cannot attend the rescheduled event, tickets will be fully refunded.

Please email trevor@trevorstephenson.com if you'd like to attend. Reservations are required.
This concert will be given twice: Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23, both events start at 6 pm. The performance and lecture will be filmed. All those attending the concert in-person will receive (by May 27) a complimentary private link to the video of the concert. If you wish to see the concert and the lecture, but cannot attend in-person, you may purchase ($40) the private link to the video. The video link will be active from May 27-June 30. Contact Trevor by email for further details.

by admin23

Schubert -- An Evening of Songs

Hear the magical blend of the human voice and the fortepiano of Franz Schubert’s era (1797-1828) in the intimate setting of historic Park Hall in Sauk City. The program explores and celebrates the unrivaled lyricism and vast emotional range of Schubert’s Lieder (songs). Repertoire includes: Auf der Donau (On the Danube), Der Schiffer (The Sailor), Das Abendrot (Evening Glow), Gesänge des Harfners (The Harpist's Songs), Il modo di prender moglie (How to choose a wife), Der Zwerg (The Dwarf), Geistes-Gruss (Ghost-Greetings), Der Wanderer (The Wanderer), Gruppe aus dem Tartarus (Group from Hades), Litanie auf des Fest Allerseelen (Litany for All Souls Day), and Wandrers Nachtlied (The Wanderer's Night Song).
Admission $25, students $15
Limited seating. Ticket available at the door. Email trevor@trevorstephenson.com to purchase tickets in advance.

photo of Park Hall by Kent Sweitzer

by admin23

Two-part Class on the Nocturnes of Chopin, Trevor Stephenson instructor

Two-part Class on Chopin's Nocturnes Trevor Stephenson, instructor -- 1850 English Parlor Grand Piano Thursdays November 11 and 18, 2021 from 6-7:15 pm Home studio of Trevor Stephenson: 5729 Forsythia Place, Madison WI 53705 Reading knowledge of music suggested In-person attendance, class size limited to 15: $50 for the course. Masks & vaccination required for in-person attendance.      (in-person attendees will also receive the link to the class videos, valid for 30 days) Virtual attendance (on-line video posted 24 hours after each class, valid 30 days): $40/course  Nov. 20, 11-11:30 am Zoom wrap-up q/a session for virtual attendees We'll look at eight of the Nocturnes spanning Chopin's career as a composer. Two days before each class, in-person and virtual students will receive via email a pdf of the scores for that week; the scores will be marked with my fingerings and in the class we can talk about approaches to fingering in Chopin's music. Topics in the class: Chopin's personality as a performer and teacher. His approach to composition. Chopin's cultivation of the da capo aria form (A-B-A) in the Nocturnes How the pianos and the temperaments (tunings) of Chopin's era help the player cultivate the phrasing, voicing, and pacing that is helpful in the Nocturnes How the Nocturne emerged as a genre in the early 19th century, and why was it emblematic of the Romantic sensibility Chopin's compositional models: Bach, Mozart, Bellini and early 19th-c. operatic style Tempo flexibility and inflexibility--and the zones in between--in performing Chopin Chopin's pedal markings and his general approach to pedaling To register for the class, please email trevor@trevorstephenson.com  photograph of Chopin, taken by Bisson in 1849

by admin23

Nocturnes & Waltzes of Chopin--Trevor Stephenson, pianist

House Concert: All-Chopin Program -- Nocturnes & Waltzes Performed by Trevor Stephenson Sunday November 21, 3 pm 5729 Forsythia Place, Madison WI In-person Attendance, audience limited to 30: $40 -- masks and vaccination required Virtual attendance: $25 link (sent out on Monday November 22; link valid for 30 days) I'm looking forward to playing and discussing this remarkable music. Would be great to have you here at the house! To sign up for the concert, please email me at trevor@trevorstephenson.com   photograph of Chopin, taken 1849

by admin23

Trevor Stephenson performs music by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven

Trevor Stephenson, fortepiano
Performs music by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven
At Historic Park Hall in Sauk City, WI
Friday, October 14, 2022
7 pm

by admin23

All-Debussy house concert program, January 16 at 3 pm -- In-person (Jan. 16), and Virtual on-demand (Jan. 17-Feb. 16)

On Sunday January 16, I'll be playing an All-Debussy concert here at the home studio. We'll have 25 socially-distanced seats available (that's 50% capacity) and are requiring attendees to be masked and fully vaccinated (including booster). If you'd like to attend virtually, you can view it anytime after Monday (Jan. 17) at 11 am. On that Monday evening at 7:30 pm I'll have a live Zoom 40-minute Q&A for those of you who've watched the concert online. Those who attended the concert in-person will also receive the video link; the link will be active until February 16. 

I'm thrilled about the repertoire for this program which includes selections from throughout Debussy's remarkable c. 30-year run as a published composer. I'll play and discuss: Two Arabesques, Ballade, Danse, Suite Bergamasque (which includes Clair de Lune), and selections from the Children's Corner Suite and Préludes (Volumes I & II).

You'll get to hear two amazing mid-19th-century pianos: a c. 1850 English Collard & Collard parlor grand, and a c. 1855 Viennese Bösendorfer concert grand. The range of tonal colors and the sense of orchestral breadth and vocal timbres in these pianos is simply magnificent. I can't wait to share it with you! To sign up please email trevor@trevorstephenson.com 

by admin23