Join pianist Nicholas Bavani at An die Musik Like for 'Vexations' – a darkly luminous recital where avant-garde audacity collides with late-Romantic gothic intensity.

Anchored by the obsessive stillness of Erik Satie’s Vexations, the program moves through stark contrasts and shadowed beauty—juxtaposing the architectural clarity of Mozart, the smoldering introspection of Brahms, and the modernism of Prokofiev's electric sounds. Each work becomes a different facet of psychological tension: restraint versus excess, devotion versus defiance.

Bavani’s own composition, “Le Duh,” acts as both rupture and revelation—an unapologetically contemporary voice that refracts the past compositional techniques of Mozart in combination with aggressive undertones of modern disappointment (profanity is used in this selection beware.) Together, these pieces form a sound world that feels ceremonial and unsettling, intimate yet monumental. "Vexations" is less a traditional recital that mixes traditional music with modern approach.

PROGRAM
Philip Glass - Walk to School
Johannes Brahms - Ballade in D minor, Op. 10, No. 1
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310
I. Allegro maestoso
Sergei Prokofiev - Étude No. 4, Op. 2
Felix Mendelssohn - Presto agitato
Reinhold Glière - Russian Sailors’ Dance
Frédéric Chopin - Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67, No. 4
Robert Schumann - Einfach (from Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6)

Nicholas Bavani, a graduate from West Chester University's Masters in Music Education program and performs regularly throughout the region as a pianist. In addition, he is heavily involved in music education as a teacher and adjudicator throughout the Northeast. Known for his bold performances, and artistic touches Bavani has built a reputation to be a true performer while educating his audience. His strong passion for Russian classical music has not gone unnoticed and performances often are accompanied by an education on the different styles within the Russian tradition.

Utilizing both his domestic and international influences on music education, Bavani has created a neurodiverse piano studio ranging from beginners to award winning pianists at a regional level. He was recently granted the "Rubinstein Award" from the "Triumph International Russian Competition" based out of Philadelphia.

In-person seats: $15
In-person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week after the concert.

Streaming passes: $15
The link will remain active through March 20

Donations welcome!