A Brief History of the Piano Concerto with Gil Harel

Of the many compositional genres in the western canon, the piano concerto has remained a flagship medium for conveying both orchestral coherence and soloistic virtuosity. For many listeners, invoking the concerto will undoubtedly bring to mind composers ranging from Mozart to Beethoven to Tchaikovsky and beyond. How did this very specific form develop, and who might be credited with its creation? How has the piano concerto evolved through the classical, romantic, and modern eras? What are some of the most celebrated examples in the repertoire? Join Professor Gil Harel as he takes us through a brief history of this exhilarating style of music. 

About Gil Harel

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western classical repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching").

Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 4 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.