On April 15, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., The First Presbyterian Church of Stirling, Stirling, New Jersey will present pianist Itay Goren, on April 15, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. Goren is making his First Pres Concert Series debut and will perform Robert Schumann’s “Carnival Scenes from Vienna,” Claude Debussy’s “Images, Book 1,” and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at An Exhibition.”
Described as “an evocative journey from shimmering excitement to calm contemplation” (Classical New Jersey), pianist Goren’s performances touch the heart and magically transport the imagination of the listener. Originally from Haifa, Goren studied music at the Rimon School of Music in Tel Aviv before continuing his education at William Paterson University in New Jersey. Under the guidance of pianist Elka Kirkpatrick, Goren graduated with degrees in both classical and jazz performance and received many honors and awards from the University. He is currently on the faculty of the music program at Ramapo College of New Jersey.
In recent seasons Goren performed at concerts dedicated to the music of Bartók, Schumann, Villa-Lobos, Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven. Goren was soloist with orchestras in Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto and Chorale Fantasy and Liszt’s Eb major Piano Concerto as well as Mozart’s concertos No. 20 and 14 and Bach’s F minor Concerto which he also conducted from the keyboard. His latest concerto appearances included a stunning performance of Brahms’ 1st Piano Concerto at Drew University with the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and a triumphant rendition of Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto with the Summit Symphony, both orchestras conducted by the Michael Avagliano.
Goren is also a champion of contemporary music. He has performed works by living composers David Winkler, Richard Sorce, and Randall Svane, who wrote and dedicated a new Piano Sonata to Goren. Upcoming performances include recitals in summer festivals in France and Spain with a program featuring Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, concerts with the Madison String Quartet and Baritone Steven Scheschareg commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht which will be performed in venues in the U.S. as well as in the Arnold Schoenberg Center in Vienna, Austria, and a performance of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with the Tübingen Academic Orchestra with conductor Philipp Amelung in Tübingen, Germany.
For more information, go to fpcstirling.org or call the First Presbyterian Church of Stirling at 908-647-1033.
This will be the seventh in the Church’s concert series for the 2017 to 2018 season. Admission, as always, is free. A short reception will follow the concert at which attendees may meet the performer. Refreshments will be served.
(above) Itay Goren
