Louis Lessons
THe Character Piece
Thursday, May 6 @ 5:30 PM EDT
In this month’s lessons, pianist and University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Louis Nagel delves into the details of some of the pieces he enjoys playing most, explaining what makes them musically unique.
Louis Nagel is Professor Emeritus of Piano at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Nagel combines an active concert and teaching schedule and his lecture-recitals are enjoyed by musicians and non-musicians alike. He has performed in highly acclaimed solo recitals and concerto concerts in major American and European cities. He has taught at the Interlochen Arts Camp, International Music Camp in Poland, Adamant Music School, and the Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy. He was formerly director of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Outreach Program, advisor to the Bachelor of Musical Arts Degree program, and interim chair of the Department of Piano. He joined the SMTD faculty in 1969.
Winner of the Harold Haugh Award for Excellence in Teaching at The University of Michigan, Louis Nagel has combined his pedagogical and performance career with outreach throughout the United States and abroad.Performances and residencies have reached audiences and students in Israel, Vienna, Russia, England, Australia Taiwan, and Poland. He is equally at home on the concert stage or in retirement homes and OSHER classes for senior citizens. He has proudly taught some of the most talented graduates of the Music School who have gone on to distinguish themselves in their careers. Louis Nagel has been called the “go-to” person to prepare for college and conservatory auditions and for those whom aspire to “the next level” in pianistic and musical artistry.
Nagel has collaborated with his wife, psychologist, psychoanalyst, and musician Dr. Julie Jaffee Nagel, at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and the American Psychoanalytic Association. Professor Nagel is a Steinway artist, and has performed in Steinway Hall in New York as well as numerous times for the Steinway music stores in Michigan.
His three degrees from The Juilliard School include studies with Rosina Lhevinne, Josef Raieff, and Joseph Bloch. Subsequent to his studies at The Juilliard School was a summer of coaching with Vladimir Ashkenazy.
