Drake Professor Nicholas Roth to Present Next Installment of Keys to Excellence Piano Series

Monday, November 18th, 2024

Sally B. Bartlett Memorial Concert is scheduled for December 2, 2024

Nicholas Roth, Professor of Piano at Drake University, will present the Sally B. Bartlett Memorial Concert as the next installment of the Drake University Keys to Excellence Piano Series on Monday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium. There is charge for admission.

Sally Bartlett was a long-time supporter of the Drake piano program. Her many notable contributions include gifting the magnificent Yamaha CFX concert grand piano in memory of her husband, William, and her father, Melvin. Mrs. Bartlett offered generous financial and moral support to many Drake piano students over the years, and her support continues through the Sally B. Bartlett Scholarship for Piano Study.  

Nicholas Roth is a featured performer and teacher throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. He is a Yamaha Artist, a Fellow of the American Pianists Association, earned prizes in chamber music competitions in Italy, and received a DAAD grant to further his studies in Germany. Roth holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University and additional performance degrees from the Hochschule für Musik in Munich (Germany) and Indiana University. He has recorded for the Blue Griffin, Naxos, MSR Classics & Innova recording labels. Roth is the founder of the Drake University Keys to Excellence Piano Series, now in its twelfth season, featuring renowned artists from all over the world.

Roth will perform the following works of Bach and Chopin.

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)                                                                                                            

• Fantasia in c minor, BWV 906    
• Prelude and Fugue No. 12 in f minor (WTC II), BWV 881                             
• Prelude and Fugue No. 22 in b-flat minor (WTC I), BWV 867
• Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B-flat major (WTC I), BWV 866
• Prelude and Fugue No. 5 in D Major (WTC II), BWV 874
• Prelude and Fugue No. 18 in g-sharp minor (WTC I), BWV 863
• Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in c minor (WTC I), BWV 847                                                                                 
• Aria from Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 (arr. Godowsky)

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)

From Twelve Etudes, Op. 10 (1833)                                                               

• No. 3 in E Major                                                                                             
• No. 4 in c-sharp minor
• No. 5 in G-Flat Major
• No. 6 in e-flat minor
• No. 8 in F Major
• No. 9 in f minor
• No.12 in c minor

From Twelve Etudes, Op. 25 (1837)

• No. 1 in A-Flat Major
• No. 2 in f minor
• No. 7 in c-sharp minor
• No. 9 in G -Flat Major
• No. 10 in b minor
• No. 11 in a minor
• No. 12 in c minor

Keys to Excellence Piano Series is supported by Drake University Jordan Concerts. For more information, contact Nicholas Roth at 515-321-5947 or nicholas.roth@js-ayds.com

Keys to Excellence Piano Series 2024-2025:

Keys to Excellence features internationally acclaimed pianists in concert. All events will take place in Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University with Masterclasses beginning at 4 pm and concerts at 7:30 pm on the dates listed below. All are free admission and open to the public.

ILIA RADOSLAVOV, Illinois Wesleyan University

• September 29, 2024: Masterclass
• September 30, 2024: Concert

NICHOLAS ROTH, Drake University – Sally B. Bartlett Memorial

• December 2, 2024: Concert
• No Masterclass

JODY GRAVES & THE SAPPHIRE TRIO, Eastern Washington University

• February 9, 2025: Masterclass
• February 10, 2025: Concert

WINSTON CHOI, Roosevelt University

• March 30: Masterclass
• March 31: Concert