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Jonathan Biss brought together modern and old style music during his Thursday night performance in the Dvorak Concert Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

In the first half, he memorized all the songs he performed, including the Sonata in C Major by Franz Schubert.

“The modern pieces I tend to use music for,” Biss said. “The rest of the program I have memorized.”

Prior to playing the Sonata, Biss took the time to explain each of the two halves.

“Franz Schubert didn’t complete either of these two halves,” he said. “The first half is laid-back, and the second half is tightly strung.”

Biss won the Leonard Bernstein Award in 2005 and has performed in the International Music Festival of 2007.

“I think he plays with a lot of expression,” Derek Maninfior, a freshman piano player said. “I’m glad he’s performing works that are not well-known, such as Selections from Jatekok.”

Biss even brought some Mozart to his concert.

“The Mozart had grace, and the Schubert had powerful climaxes,” said Harrison Cole, a senior music performance major said. “He played beautifully the entire time.”

Nocturne in D flat Major delivered powerful beats and melodies to the audience who attended. The performance received Biss a standing ovation.

“I really like that Eastern’s starting to get this kind of thing,” said Neil Wright, a sophomore psychology major. “He was phenomenal, and more than I expected.”

The last musical selection of the evening, Ballade No. 4 in f minor, Op. 52 composed by Frederic Chopin, gave a soothing end to his performance.

“The love for music is what gives me the courage to keep playing,” Biss said. “It’s what keeps me going.”

Jennifer Brown can be reached at 581-7942 or at jebrown2@eiu.edu.

Pianist Jonathan Biss laughs while signing autographs following his performance Thursday night in the Dvorak Concert Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

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