What are you looking for in pieces of new piano music? Teresa McCollough

What are you looking for in pieces of new piano music? Teresa McCollough

Teresa McColloughPhoto by Bob Adler I don’t think I’m looking for anything different in “new” piano music, than I would look for in the standard repertoire. I am interested in playing music that is challenging and engaging—both to me, and the listener. I try to choose works that create a balanced program—to reflect the broad… Read more »

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NewMusicBox Staff



Teresa McCollough
Photo by Bob Adler

I don’t think I’m looking for anything different in “new” piano music, than I would look for in the standard repertoire. I am interested in playing music that is challenging and engaging—both to me, and the listener. I try to choose works that create a balanced program—to reflect the broad array of compositional styles being written today. I am less interested in playing a concert of works from only one composer, or style, than I am in exploring a range of musical expression that holds my attention and that I believe audiences will like.

We go to concerts to be stimulated, and to be moved. As a performer who’s interested in creating an audience for new music, I try to keep that in mind. How will the piece I’m choosing fit into the overall program, and can I communicate it clearly, and effectively, to the audience? Will we all enjoy it?