Lecture Recitals
Peter’s lecture recitals focus on American vernacular music from 1890-1945: ragtime, blues, jazz, and the popular songs of Tin Pan Alley . At once entertaining, informative, and inspirational, they combine his remarkable abilities as a pianist and singer with his experience as a musicologist and educator.
*Available in-person or live on Zoom (see here for example of Zoom presentation).
*Adaptable to a wide range of audiences.
*For further inquiries or to make a booking, just contact Peter
Some popular programs:
LECTURE RECITALS ON ROOTS MUSIC
- Ragtime
What ragtime is, how it arose, and why it’s important. Details»
- Blues
The emergence and early development of blues. Details»
- Jazz
The emergence and early development of jazz. Details»
- Gospel
Explores African American traditions of religious music-making from the Civil War to the 1920s.. Details»
- Ragtime, Blues, and Jazz
General overview of these styles, tracing their emergence, development, and relationship. Details»
LECTURE RECITALS ON POPULAR MUSIC
- Swing Music of the 1930s
A toe-tapping, finger snapping exploration of the music of the Depression and Swing Era, featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Fats Waller, George Gershwin and many others. Details»
- Black Songwriters
Inspirational recital that explores the treasury of songs and instrumentals written by black popular composers from the Civil War to the Great Depression. Details»
- The Jewish Influence on American Popular Song
Explores the impact of Jewish people and culture on American popular song in the period 1890-1925. Details»
- The Love Songs of Tin Pan Alley
A light-hearted, heart-warming exploration of love in American popular music from 1900-1930. Details»
- George Gershwin
Explores the multi-faceted songwriting talent of George Gershwin. Details»
- Irving Berlin
Born in poverty on New York’s Lower East side, Berlin (1888-1989) rose to become arguably America’s greatest songwriters. Details»
- Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen (1905-86) was one of the greatest of American songwriters. The son of an immigrant cantor, he created some of most powerful and enduring popular songs of the twentieth century. Details»
- Cole Porter
The songs of Cole Porter (1891-1964) combined a remarkable alchemy of unforgettable melodies with urbane, witty lyrics, and, perhaps more than any other songwriter, he perfectly embodies the sophistication of his era. Details»
