Under the Hood: Understanding Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata

Irwin Shung, piano

Beethoven – Sonata in F minor Op. 57 "Appassionata"

Dr. Irwin Shung, professor of music theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western University, discusses one of his favorite musical masterworks, Beethoven’s fiery “Appassionata” sonata. Shung will converse with the audience, describing how the piece works and revealing its inner machinery in an attempt to understand and appreciate the composer’s creative process.

At the end of the program, Shung will perform the work in its entirety, along with favorite selections by Liszt and Bach.

About Irwin Shung

Dr. Irwin Shung, whose playing has been praised by State Magazine for its "ease, technique, and musicianship," has performed in North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Shung joined the faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music in July, 2015, and also directs the Resonance Masters' Series at Resonance at SOMA, situated in Bellevue, Washington. He currently serves as President of the Northeast Ohio Music Teachers' Association.

Shung received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music in January, 2015, where he studied with Dr. Daniel Shapiro. He has also received instruction on piano from various distinguished teachers including Marian Hahn (Peabody Conservatory), Leon Fleisher (Peabody Conservatory), Herbert Stessin (Julliard School), and Gabriel Chodos (New England Conservatory). Awards received include the Pauline Favin Memorial Award from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, prizes in the 2012 Darius Milhaud Competition, as well as the Young Artist International Piano Competition.

Shung currently serves as piano faculty at the Notre Dame College in Cleveland. Shung's performances have been featured by KING FM in Seattle, as well as WCLV Ideastream in Cleveland. His complete recording of the first book of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier is available online, and a recording of the second book is forthcoming.