About the Artist/Ensemble
Recognized for her “quicksilver passagework” and “tender lyricism” (The Washington Post), yet not afraid to shout, swing her foot onto the piano, or don fingerless gloves if the music demands it, pianist Francesca Hurst divides her playing between classical and contemporary music. At ease with repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach to Caroline Shaw, and with a passion for performing music by living women composers, she makes sense of the music regardless of style and period. Dedicated to communicating with her listeners, she enjoys interacting with audiences during her concerts.During the pandemic, Francesca created the 100-day online video series Daily Dose of Piano, featuring music from the Baroque to today, including 14 premieres and several works by women composers. She has performed in venues such as the Kennedy Center and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, Brookfield Place in New York, and internationally in France, Italy, Bulgaria, and Portugal, and her performances have been featured on New York’s WQXR radio. She has also been a guest artist at the Atlantic Music Festival, New Music Delaware, New Music Gathering, Charlotte New Music Festival, and the Bang on a Can Music Marathon.Francesca is on the piano faculty at The Catholic University of America and the University of Virginia, and holds a DMA in Piano Performance. She is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, and also teaches for MusicLink Foundation.
Concert/Performance Description
Solo Piano Recital – $1,200
Francesca Hurst captivates audiences with powerful performances showcasing her virtuosity and sensitivity. She is comfortable playing a wide range of styles and periods, and her concerts often include works by women composers, as well as commentary on the works presented. Audiences have described her playing as “moving and compelling,” “dynamic,” and “engaging”.
Solo Piano Recital and Post-Performance Discussion or Q&A Session – $1,250
Get to know the artist and/or take a deeper look at the music through a post-concert discussion. This can be a Q&A session or an interactive dialogue with the audience, led either by the presenter or the artist or both.
Solo Piano Recital and Masterclass – $1450
Combination of solo recital plus masterclass where intermediate and advanced piano students receive valuable feedback on pieces they are studying. Topics covered may include interpretation, technique, style, and practice methods.
Masterclass – $350
Intermediate and advanced piano students receive valuable feedback on pieces they are studying. Topics covered may include interpretation, technique, style, and practice methods.
Piano Concerto Performance – $2,500
Piano concerto with orchestra.
Educational Programs
Workshop/Residency: Approaching and Performing New Music – from $500
A highly experienced new music pianist, Francesca works with piano students and ensembles studying and performing new music. After ten years with Great Noise Ensemble, several residencies and performances at major new music festivals, and many solo and collaborative new music concerts, she is excited to share her expertise on finding, learning, understanding, and performing new music.
Participants: College/University Students, High School Students