INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY CONCERT SEASON OPENS WITH JAZZ PIANIST FRED HERSCH

September 21, 2005, Princeton, N.J. - "Songs�With and Without Words" is the opening event in the Institute for Advanced Study�s Recent Pasts 20/21 2005-2006 concert season. Pianist and composer Fred Hersch will perform on October 7 and 8 at 8:00 p.m. in Wolfensohn Hall on the Institute campus. Immediately following the concert, Hersch will speak with Institute Artist-in-Residence Jon Magnussen on the improvisatory art and the connections between the jazz and classical musical traditions.

The program will feature the wordless compositions of modern jazz pioneer Thelonius Monk, the lyric compositions of legendary composer-lyricist Cole Porter, and some of Hersch�s own recent compositions.

"More so than in any other age, composers of our time are able to access and assimilate an ever-broadening range of music from around the world�classical, popular, folk and otherwise," comments Magnussen. "Here in America, the largely improvisatory tradition of jazz is a significant part of our musical consciousness, and its impact on the art music tradition is considerable."

Hersch is considered to be among the foremost jazz artists in the world today. He is widely recognized for his ability to reinvent the standard jazz repertoire, investing time-tested classics with keen insight, fresh ideas and extraordinary technique, while steadfastly creating his own unique body of work. Possessing "an intensity of intelligence and emotional directness unparalleled among his peers" (The New Yorker), Hersch�s accomplishments include a 2003 Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship for composition and two Grammy� nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance. He has appeared on over one hundred recordings, including more than two dozen as bandleader/solo pianist.

Hersch's composing activities are a vital part of nearly all of his live concerts and recordings. He recently created Leaves of Grass, a large-scale setting of Walt Whitman's poetry for two voices and an instrumental octet; the work was presented last March in a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall as part of a six-city U.S. tour. Hersch has produced and performed on four recordings for the charities Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Additional concerts and lectures this season in the Artist-in-Residence program include "Snapshots and Legacies: The Music of John Corigliano," performed by Music from Copland House on December 2 and 3 at 8:00 p.m. in Wolfensohn Hall. The concert will include works by Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland and John Corigliano. "Past, Present and Future: John Corigliano speaks with Michael Boriskin and Jon Magnussen," will take place on December 2 at 4:00 p.m. in the West Building Lecture Hall.

"Giant Pipes and Flower Pots: Music in the Birch Garden," will be performed by So Percussion and Trollstilt on May 13, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Institute�s Birch Garden. The concert will feature works by David Lang and Dan Trueman. "A Music Redefined: David Lang speaks with Jon Magnussen," will take place before the concert at 6:30 p.m. in the Birch Garden.

Concert tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. For information on ticket availability, or further information about the Institute for Advanced Study�s Artist-in-Residence program, call (609) 734-8228 or visit www.ias.edu/air.