October 24, 2025
Baldwin Auditorium
Presented by Duke Arts Presents
“An artist of ‘probing intellect and open-hearted vision’
The New York Times
“The kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music”
New York Magazine
“Tao is foremost a musician’s pianist, who displays maturity and sensitivity beyond his youthful age.”
Boston Classical Review
Pianist and composer Conrad Tao has been hailed as “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music” (New York Magazine). With a fearless approach to the canon and a passion for sonic exploration, Tao has emerged as one of the most compelling artists of his generation. In this electrifying solo recital, he brings his signature mix of intellect, curiosity, and emotional depth to an innovative program that explores the impact of American popular music on the work of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff after his emigration to the U.S. Tao’s artistry has recently taken him to the stages of Carnegie Hall, the New York Philharmonic, and major orchestras across the U.S. and Europe. Don’t miss an opportunity to see him live in Baldwin Auditorium.
Rachmaninoff
Prelude in C Major, Op. 32 No. 1
Prelude in A flat Major, Op. 23 No. 8
Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
Billy Strayhorn
Take the A Train
Stephen Sondheim
In Buddy’s Eyes (from Follies)
Robert Schumann
Auf Einer burg (from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableau in A minor, Op. 39 No. 2
Irving Berlin
All By Myself
Conrad Tao / Rachmaninoff
Improvisation on Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Var. 15
Harold Arlen / Art Tatum
Over the Rainbow, 1953 recording (transcribed by Conrad Tao)
Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Var. 18
Billy Strayhorn
Lush Life
Rachmaninoff
Daisies
Billy Strayhorn
Day Dream
Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableau in C minor, Op. 33 No. 3
Rachmaninoff (arr. Inon Barnatan)
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
*Program is subject to change
Pianist and composer Conrad Tao has been dubbed “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music” by New York Magazine, and an artist of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by The New York Times.
Conrad’s 2024/25 season includes a return to Carnegie Hall in recital performing Debussy’s 12 Études, alongside Keyed In, a work arranged and improvised by Tao on the Lumatone. He also returns to the San Francisco Symphony to perform Tchaikovsky with Nicholas Collon, the Dallas Symphony to perform Mozart with Jaap van Zweden, the St Louis Symphony to perform Saint-Saëns with David Danzmayr, and the Baltimore Symphony to perform Mozart with Jonathon Heyward. Further appearances include the Indianapolis Symphony’s opening Gala, as well as performances with the Seoul Philharmonic, and NDR Hannover with Ingo Metzmacher. He also continues his collaboration with award-winning dancer Caleb Teicher in a nationwide US tour.
In the 2023/24 season, Conrad made his subscription debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and re-united with the New York Philharmonic following summer appearances and his specially curated programme for their Artist Spotlight series. Meanwhile, he celebrated Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary with recitals presented by the Cleveland Orchestra and Klavierfestival Ruhr. The season also saw performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Marin Alsop, and the Boston Symphony and Dima Slobodeniouk, as well as performances celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blu at the Philharmonie Berlin, Elbphillharmonie Hamburg, and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Matthias Pintscher and the Kansas City Symphony. His companion piece to Gershwin’s Rhapsody, Flung Out, was commissioned by the Santa Rosa Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, and Omaha Symphony.
In recent years, Conrad has been the subject of a special focus with the Finnish Radio Symphony and the Swedish Radio Symphony, both of whom have presented him over multiple concerts. He has also performed with the Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under both Orozco-Estrada and Antonio Pappano. As a composer, his work has been performed by orchestras throughout the world; his first large scale orchestral work, Everything Must Go, received its world premiere with the New York Philharmonic and its European premiere with the Antwerp Symphony.
Conrad was the recipient of a New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award for Outstanding Sound Design / Music Composition for his work on More Forever, in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Caleb Teicher. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and was named a Gilmore Young Artist.
Artist Website | Facebook | Instagram
Baldwin Auditorium
1336 Campus Drive
Durham, NC 27705
Pick-4 & Save! Save up to 20% when you book four or more shows at once!
Duke employees save 25% on single tickets.
*All high school and college students are eligible for student tickets with valid ID shown at event.
Duke students and employees, Log in through Shibboleth to access Duke-exclusive discounts.
Awadagin Pratt is one of the most distinctive pianists in American classical music. His program, America 250, traces the breadth of American voices from Florence Price to contemporary composers.
Two brothers, joined by Matthew McDowell and Matthew Zalkind, bring familial chemistry to Haydn, Ives, and Tchaikovsky, pushing each work to its limits with “extraordinary, frightening brilliance” (Bachtrack).
The Ciompi Quartet, Duke University’s resident quartet, play a program rooted in U.S. musical traditions, from Samuel Barber’s powerful String Quartet, Op. 11 to Ben Johnston’s inventive quartet built around the hymn Amazing Grace.
Two-time GRAMMY winners, Pacifica Quartet pairs Beethoven’s expansive Op. 130 with George Walker and Gabriela Lena Frank, placing bold contemporary voices alongside one of the repertoire’s most searching masterworks.
Inspired by M.C. Escher’s interplay of forms, the Escher Quartet joins pianist David Fung for Mozart, Schumann, and Korngold, music rich in dialogue, shifting between intimacy and concerto-like drama.
A self-conducted ensemble redefining classical performance, Sphinx Virtuosi blends Stravinsky, Ravel, and Roberto Sierra with new works in a program shaped by the sounds and stories of America.
Jeremy Denk, one of America’s foremost pianists, pairs Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, and Louise Farrenc with contemporary composers including Tania León and Missy Mazzoli in this wide-ranging recital.
Ciompi Quartet performs Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring in its original chamber scoring for 13 instruments. Joined by musicians from the Durham Fellows Quartet, the program also features works by Stephen Jaffe and Osvaldo Golijov.
British choir Tenebrae is internationally renowned for its extraordinary clarity and emotional depth. A Prayer for Deliverance brings choral works centering on rest, solace, and spiritual reflection.