solo piano
Whether it's a house concert, a short lunchtime recital, or an evening-length program, Danny Holt's solo piano concerts showcase his thoughtful and imaginative programming and his infectious enthusiasm for the music he performs. Audiences rave about his insightful and entertaining historical anecdotes that deepen the concert experience.
“Danny Holt is the complete package. He has the talent, looks, charm, charisma and technical skills to be considered one of the finest musicians in Southern California. He truly understands music and enjoys performing to the delight of his audiences. What separates Danny from the rest is how he interacts with his audience. He shares fun and informative anecdotes about the composers, the music and his instrument. His choice of music is wide-ranging from “old music” as he calls it, to composers of today (new music). Within the “old music” category he often looks for obscure pieces by the Masters that are rarely performed. Aside from being a captivating performer, Danny is a passionate teacher, sharing his knowledge and skills with many. By all means go out of your way to witness this wonderful musician at work. You will not be disappointed.”
“Danny Holt is a performer with consummate musicianship and artistry. He presents concerts that showcase his creativity for programming and ability to delight an audience.”
“Danny Holt was born to play the piano. His style is decisive, powerful and soulful, even during the most serene moments...I’ve had the pleasure of featuring Danny several times on two series — Concert Hour and The Steinway Series. Each time the audience was spellbound and the performances were superb. Danny’s flawless sense of time and his jaw-dropping interpretation of rhythm and melody sent the audience to another dimension.”
“Danny Holt is the real deal. Music lives within him. He demands the best from himself, his audiences, and his students. In performance, the music leaps out of him. It’s passionate. It’s frenzied. It’s controlled. When he teaches, it’s the same. His students learn by diving into the music. And because Danny is Danny, he insists that they dive into the deep end, knowing that he’ll be with them all the way. ”
Recent & UPcoming SOLO PROGRAMS
Musical Quotations, Tributes, and Transformations
For centuries, composers have paid homage to their friends and musical heroes. This program treats the audience to an unusual collection of works that exemplifies the inventive and playful ways composers have delighted in referencing other composers’ works. Erik Satie is the Weird Al Yankovic of classical music in his parody of a Clementi Sonatina; Stephen Heller turns Schubert’s most famous song (Der Erlkönig) into a virtuosic romp; Godowsky and Brahms transform works by Chopin and Schubert; George Crumb dreamily interpolates Chopin; Alfredo Casella riffs on Brahms, Ravel, and others; and Thalberg obsessively improvises a fantasy on themes from Beethoven symphonies. Also includes the world premiere of Mike Garson’s variations on Schumann’s beloved “Scenes from Childhood”.
The Sonatina Project
A program tracing the history of the sonatina from the 18th through the 21st centuries. Most students of classical piano will have memories of studying sonatinas by Clementi and Kuhlau: these works have found an important place in piano pedagogy more than 200 years since they were composed. But one seldom hears these works on the concert stage. Holt’s program begins in the Classical era, with short selections by Clementi and Diabelli. Moving into the Romantic style, sonatinas by Heller, Kirchner, and Reger show how composers in the 19th century expanded the conception of what a sonatina could be. Works by Bartók, Karg-Elert, and Saygun give a glimpse of the dramatic contrasts of classical music in the 20th century. And Kapustin’s jazzy one-movement sonatina ushers in the 21st century, showing that the sonatina is still alive and well!
Eclectic Miniatures
A program that can easily be adapted to fit different lengths and settings, featuring surprising juxtapositions: from Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms to Scriabin, Liadov, Kabalevsky, Nancarrow, and much more. Holt's signature mixed programs delight and surprise audiences with unusual combinations of the old and the new: A Brahms Intermezzo segues almost seamlessly into an explosive work by Charles Ives; Mozart sounds more baroque than Bach; and early 20th century composers sound like Scott Joplin on steroids!
mozart(s)
Obscure and neglected treasures by the famous W.A. Mozart, alongside works by his father (Leopold) and his son (Franz Xaver). Also featuring Mozart arrangements by Clementi, Thalberg, and Liszt, including selections from Mozart’s beloved Requiem.
the "others"
Works by the lesser-known relatives of revered composers: C.P.E. Bach, Franz Xaver Mozart, Clara Wieck, and Fanny Hensel.
INNOVATORS, MAVERICKS, AND "BAD BOYS"
An immersive mutimedia performance that explores the music of a group of eccentric, radical, “ultramodern” composers from the early 20th century: Charles Ives, Erik Satie, Henry Cowell, George Antheil, Ruth Crawford, Carl Ruggles, and Conlon Nancarrow. Includes short films by Mareca Guthrie and a sound collage by Lewis Keller, plus biographical vignettes narrated by the late James Tenney.
INSPIRATION: PLACES
Early 20th century repertoire by Copland, Villa-Lobos, Honegger, and Mosolov, representing musical inspirations from Mexico, Brasil, the Suisse-Romande, and Turkmenistan.