The Rotunda at New York's Steinway Hall was filled to capacity on the evening of March 29, 2011 with fans, family, friends, music lovers--all present to celebrate and honor Peter Schickele and his music on the occasion of his 75th Birthday Season. Peter Schickele was in attendance, making the evening a magical moment.

This being Peter Schickele's 75th birthday year, I could not imagine it without a celebration in New York. He has changed the world's musical landscape in so many fantastic ways for thousands upon thousands of musicians and music lovers.

He has a remarkable body of work-some serious, some humorous, some with a broad sense of music history, and all with a sensitivity to design and message. A fair number of works hark back to--and are influenced by--his deep love of the folk tune. He has a special gift for taking simple melodies and refreshing them anew for our ears, while always evoking another time.

On my Downloads page here, you can have the opportunity to hear (and download--for free) one of Peter Schickele's folk setting gems--Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, which he generously made available for me to record as part of a special music campaign to help support the people and marine life of the Gulf, following the Oil Spill.

The concert will include several solo piano works, including his Epitaphs for Piano, a tribute to several composers, spanning from Orlando di Lasso to Stravinsky, and PRESENTS II for Piano, which I had the privilege of premiering in New York in April 2008. Among the wonderful chamber works to be performed, will be his Trio Serenade for Two Flutes and Piano, Seven Miniatures for Violin and Piano, and What Did You Do Today at Jeffey's House? for Horn and Piano.

And, of course, a concert in honor of Peter Schickele would not be quite complete without a tribute to P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742)?--with gratitude to Professor Peter Schickele--featuring his Fanfare for the Common Cold for brass quintet and "Goldbrick" Variationsfor Piano.

It is a privilege to be collaborating with a amazing group of musicians: Joan Plana, violin; Martha Locker, piano; Michele Eaton, soprano; Alice Jones and Kelli Kathman, flutes; Jill Bartels and Steven Cohen, horns; Caleb Hudson and Chris Venditti, trumpets; and Kevin Vergillio, trombone. And, Robert Sherman, of WQXR and WFUV, will introduce the composer.

Introduced to the audience by the renowned WQXR and WFUV radio host Robert Sherman, Peter Schickele introduced all of the works on the evening's program, and shared the behind-the-scenes stories and inspirations--some rather humorous---of each work. The program included a wide range of his solo piano and chamber works--including a tribute to P.D.Q. Bach--performed by a great roster of musicians: Joan Plana, violin; Martha Locker, piano; Michele Eaton, soprano; Alice Jones and Kelli Kathman, flutes; Jill Bartels and Steven Cohen, horns; Caleb Hudson and Chris Venditti, trumpets; and Kevin Vergillio, trombone.

Following the concert, many had the privilege of meeting him, and having him autograph copies of his music, made available through the Theodore Presser Co. to the Dowling Music Store insidse Steinway Hall. A wonderful time was had by all. Happy 75th Birthday Peter Schickele!