AUGUST 2, 7pm at (Le) Poisson Rouge: Pianists Marilyn Nonken and Sarah Rothenberg to perform Olivier Messiaen's historic Visions De L'Amen. Join us for this exciting concert and CD party celebrating the release of Marilyn and Sarah's recording of the work (Bridge 9324).
Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door

" ... never on record with this sense of clarity, commitment and power. Both the performance and the recording are stunning." -- Daniel Buckley, Stereophile Magazine

"A powerful performance by Marilyn Nonken and Sarah Rothenberg .... Ms. Nonken and Ms. Rothenberg (who studied Messiaen’s music in Paris with Ms. Loriod) demonstrate a deep understanding of this shimmering, colorful score .... The players forcefully convey the savage energy of “Amen of the Stars and the Ringed Planet,” [and] quiet tenderness ....morphs into passionate exuberance. The pealing bells of “Amen of Consummation,” the dazzyingly colorful finale, ring with sparkling clarity in these pianists’ capable hands." -- Vivien Schweitzer, New York Times

More

IMAGE GALLERY -- download high-resolution photos of Marilyn Nonken

New Releases of music by Ferneyhough, Messiaen, Reynolds

Marilyn Nonken at New York University.

Interview with Nonken on Superfluities

Interview with Nonken by Justin Urcis


Last Updated July, 2010

marilyn
— photo by Sharka Bosakova

Marilyn Nonken

"Nonken's performances are marvels of keyboard mastery and musical command." — The Boston Globe ("Best of '97, '99, '00, '01, '02")

"A pianist from music's leading edge." — The New York Times

"Nonken's performance came as a revelation." — The Washington Post

"One of the greatest interpreters of new music." — The American Record Guide

"This pianist enthusiastically explores modern and other contemporary areas where a lot of pianists fear to hang out, and she packs enough artistry and technique for the journey." — The Village Voice


Marilyn Nonken is one of the most celebrated champions of the modern repertoire of her generation, known for performances that explore transcendent virtuosity and extremes of musical expression. Upon her 1993 New York debut, she was heralded as "a determined protector of important music" (New York Times). Acclaimed internationally as a soloist, she is also known for her work with Ensemble 21 (of which she is a co-founder) and the Australian ensemble Elision. Composers who have written for her include Milton Babbitt, Pascal Dusapin, Michael Finnissy, Liza Lim, Tristan Murail, and David Rakowski, as well as emerging Americans Jason Eckardt, Laurie San Martin, Drew Baker, and David Langanella. She has recorded for New World, BMOP Sound, Bridge, Mode, Cairos, Lovely Music, Albany, Metier, Divine Art, Innova, CRI, Tzadik, and New Focus; recent releases include Rakowski’s Piano Concerto (Boston Modern Orchestra Project, under Gil Rose,) Brian Ferneyhough’s Les Froissements des Ailes de Gabriel and La chute d’Icare (Elision, under Jean DeRoyer), Olivier Messiaen's Visions de l'Amen (with Sarah Rothenberg), and Roger Reynolds's Angel of Death (Slee Sinfonietta under Magnus Martensson). Her 2010-2011 season highlights include performances of the complete piano music of Tristan Murail, Morton Feldman's Triadic Memories, and Frederic Rzewski's The People United Will Never Be Defeated!, with appearances in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Vancouver, and Santiago.

Marilyn Nonken was a student of David Burge at the Eastman School and received a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Currently Director of Piano Studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School, she is a Steinway artist.