Kigawa to perform additional program Thursday at Gobin

The Greencastle Summer Music Festival will present Japanese pianist Taka Kigawa in a free "bonus concert" featuring the complete piano music of legendary modernist Pierre Boulez on Thursday, June 19.

The 7:30 p.m. is set for the sanctuary of Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church.

Kigawa, who performed at Tuesday night's "Classical Revolution" event at Starbucks, is performing a concert of music of Bach and Chopin (and one short Boulez piece) tonight on the festival's regular Wednesday program.

He has offered to play the all-Boulez program (which is approximately 90 minutes long), which he has performed in San Francisco and Buenos Aires, as he prepares to present it in New York City.

"The music of Boulez has had an enormous influence in the world of contemporary classical music," festival artistic director Eric Edberg said.

"It is some of the most complex and dissonant music ever composed. That any human being can play it all is amazing. And to be able to hear this music live in Greencastle is probably a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So when Taka offered to perform it here as an extra concert, I immediately said yes. For anyone who is attracted to or interested in experiencing the most advanced contemporary classical music, this is rare opportunity."

The Greencastle Summer Music Festival is in its 10th season of presenting "friends making music for friends," with free concerts every Wednesday through Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church.

The festival is supported by donations by individuals and businesses, including the Inn at DePauw.