Pianist Jocelyn Swigger to Play the Complete Chopin Etudes in Recital at Allegheny College

Jan. 28, 2016 — Pianist Jocelyn Swigger will perform the complete etudes by Frederic Chopin in concert at Ford Chapel at Allegheny College on Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Chopin’s 27 etudes – short pieces that develop specific technical skills — are widely regarded as some of the most difficult and beautiful pieces in the classical piano literature. It is rare for a soloist to attempt to play all of them in one evening.

“Learning to play them has been like getting another graduate degree. It’s the most difficult musical challenge I’ve ever faced, and after five years living with them I’m not tired of them,” Swigger said. “I still learn from them every day, and I’m still amazed by how beautiful and expressive they are.” In addition to playing, Swigger will talk from the stage and explain some of the specific details of the etudes.

Jocelyn Swigger is associate professor of music and coordinator of keyboard studies of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. She has also taught at Fort Lewis College, the Hochstein Music School, CUNY Queensborough and Adelphi University. She played as a collaborative artist and accompanist for the Manhattan School of Music, the Castleman Quartet Program, the Boys Choir of Harlem and the Juilliard School.

Swigger performs as a solo and collaborative pianist in the United States, Europe and South America. She holds undergraduate degrees from Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Eastman School of Music. Her principal teachers are Rebecca Penneys and Evelyne Brancart.

A recording artist with Con Brio, Swigger’s most recent CD is “Troublesome Moon (and other forgotten gems from Tin Pan Alley).” Her CD “Rhythms and Blues: American Piano Music” was listed as MusicWeb International’s Record of the Month.

A self-described musical omnivore, Swigger has premiered new works by composers including Dennis DeSantis, Payton MacDonald, Gavin Chuck, Aaron Grad, Buzz Jones, Greg Mertl, Forrest Pierce and Allan Krantz. In addition to her work as a classical musician, she has performed on accordion, vocals and electric bass in the indie folk rock band Gettysburg Pirate Orchestra.

More information on Jocelyn Swigger, including her podcasts “Play It Again Swig” and “Just Piano Improv,” can be found at www.jocelynswigger.com.