After William Doppmann had to cancel his scheduled performance at the Northwest Bach Festival due to a family illness, it was announced that renowned pianist Lara Downes would take his place. Downes will perform "13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg," one of her new performance works, inspired by re-imaginings of Bach's Aria from the Goldberg Variations. She will also provide commentary throughout the program so there will not be a pre-concert talk.
Downes is a Steinway Concert artist who, in her own words, wants to make the world safe for classical music, one note at a time.
"Whether I'm at home in my studio or out on the road, packing or unpacking, doing my scales or doing my laundry, day in and day out, my life is a life in music," she writes on her website.
Downes has been praised by the Washington Post, Fanfare Magazine and NPR as one of the most innovative and captivating pianists of her time. She travels around the world performing and assisting with music education programs for students of all ages and skill levels. She was also recently named a semi-finalist for the American Prize in Solo Piano Performance-professional division.
For more information on Lara Downes, visit laradownes.com. Watch her perform tomorrow at 8 pm. Tickets cost $10-$25 or $75-$85 for a festival pass. The performance will be at St. John's Cathedral, located at 127 E. 12th Ave. For tickets, visit ticketswest.com or call 800-325-SEAT.
