David Allen Wehr
“He is more than a musician’s musician; he is a pianist’s pianist.”- American Record Guide
Western Pennsylvania is blessed to have in its midst the international competition winner, celebrated recording artist and much traveled pianist, David Allen Wehr, who returns to Foxburg to perform an all-Chopin program on the Lincoln Hall Steinway on Sunday afternoon, November 20 at 2:00 PM.
David is a favorite of ARCA audiences as a collaborative and solo artist, having brought to Lincoln Hall chamber music programs with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony which he had developed for his sold-out, Duquesne University, Music on the Bluff series.
Of his ARCA November 2021 two piano performance with Cynthia Raim of Rachmaninoff duets that gleaned them the 1998 Recording of the Year for the American Record Guide, it could be said that that on that day – anywhere in the music capitals of the world – there was no more exultant performance of classical music. It was breathtaking.
This all-Chopin concert is the fifth Patricia Ann Steffee Memorial Concert honoring the memory of ARCA’s dedicated and long-time Board member and ARCA founder. Patricia was a great fan and friend of David’s and hosted post-concert receptions for him and his collaborating chamber musicians at RiverStone Farm.
His international career was launched when he won the Gold Medal at the 1987 Santander International Piano Competition in Spain. Resulting tours have taken him to over 30 countries in Europe, North and South America, and the Far East, including performances in the world musical capitals of New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Washington, Madrid and Buenos Aires.
It was David’s thirteen seasons touring the United States and Canada for Community Concerts in 1,000 performances as a soloist and in chamber music partnerships that honed his unique ability to make great works for the piano accessible to the public. Exceptionally gifted as a “Living Program Note”, David’s warm personality welcomes an audience member into the emotion of the music and makes imaginative and simple the intricacies of these masterpieces.
He has amassed a large and critically acclaimed discography for his solo and collaborative CDs. His CDs with his piano duo partner, Cynthia Raim, have received the highest accolades: ”Raim and Wehr offer such luscious performances that they fill one’s soul with sheer joy.” American Record Guide. Other CDs Wehr has recorded include programs of Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Mussorgsky, Schumann, Delius, Czerny, Gershwin, Brahms, Griffes, Wagner-Liszt, Dvoøak and Joe Utterback. The complete Beethoven Sonata Cycle has been released in four double-CD albums. His CDs are available at Amazon.
Critics were unanimous that his Chopin was ”rapturous, rewarding and impressive” – a recording ”that every devoted Chopin-lover should find both challenging and rewarding”.
Pianoforte wrote: The first time I heard this issue I listened to all 21 Nocturnes without a break, and found the experience rapturous, rewarding and impressive. The American Record Guide wrote: Wehr is fleet and extroverted. The early works are dispatched with requisite sensitivity, the later ones on a truly grand scale, in turn restless and turbulent, quiet and reflective.
Begin your Thanksgiving holiday early and bring family and friends along to enjoy a sublime afternoon of Chopin in the hands of an internationally acclaimed artist. Tickets are Adults $25, ARCA Members $20, Students $5. Buy online at alleghenyriverstone.org or call to reserve: 724-659-3153. Cash or check at the door.
ARCA is grateful for the generous donation of Board members Dan and Karen Mortland and Dr. John ‘Jack’ Williams sponsoring David Allen Wehr’s Chopin concert in memory of ARCA founder Patricia Ann Steffee.