HOPE, Ark.-From ragtime to Mozart, pianist Scott Carrell will share a variety of what makes the piano so great during his recital Thursday at Hempstead Hall.
Starting at 7 p.m., the Harding University music teacher will present the program "The Magic of the Piano," which includes classical works by Mozart, Chopin, Ravel and Liszt. Should you attend, also expect to hear pieces by a composer Texarkana knows well-Scott Joplin.
"The program is a variety program. For me, what this means is there are some classical pieces, different composers, different styles and moods and things," Carrell said of his one-hour program, which is part of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council's performance art series.
"Then what I do with the sort of more popular music is I'm going to do three pieces that show different styles of piano music within sort of the jazz realm," Carrell said.
For Joplin, that includes classic ragtime, along with a novelty ragtime number and true jazz, the pianist said.
It was actually Joplin, recalled Carrell, who inspired him to pursue the piano. He became interested in Joplin's music during the ragtime revival of the 1970s.
"I wanted to learn that," he recalled.
Eventually, after piano lessons, he devoted himself to studying Joplin and learning his music.
Also, the pianist's parents had a player piano, another Joplin connection of sorts, and there were player piano rolls around to hear. As a result, he honed in on the fancy ragtime style during his younger years.
Carrell enjoys making his program educational, so he will discuss the music prior to performing a piece.
"I think there's so much music out there that a lot of people have less exposure, less interaction, with the classical repertoire," Carrell said, noting this format to a recital has been received well by audiences.
At Harding, where he's been an award-winning instructor, Carrell teaches piano, music theory and composition. He's performed the world over, including China, Italy and Germany. He's also appeared with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and others, in addition to appearances as a chamber musician.
During his studies, he eventually became attracted to performing pieces by an obscure French composer by the name of Noel Gallon, whose work he'll perform at Hempstead. His interest in Debussy and music by other French composers led to his choosing Gallon for his doctoral studies. He discovered there were no recordings of the composer's music, so he decided to make them.
"That, to me, was opportunity," said Carrell, who's also recorded ragtime.
This will be his first performance at Hempstead Hall, although he's performed at Texarkana College, as well as Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
Carrell strives to make his performances enlightening and entertaining. He'll have CDs available, as well as offer a chance to talk with the audience after the show.
"I enjoy doing them. I enjoy doing the programs and sharing great music with people," Carrell said.
(Admission: $15 for adults, $8 for students and children. To buy tickets, visit HempsteadHall.com or call 870-722-8565.)