Renowned Harpsichordist to Give Free Recital Oct. 15 at Cal Poly

Mark Kroll, renowned harpsichordist who has played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1979, will give a free recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Spanos Theatre at Cal Poly.

Kroll’s performance will feature French baroque harpsichord works by François Couperin.

Kroll, also a fortepianist, has enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades. He has performed throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America, winning critical praise for his expressive playing and virtuosity. The Washington Post called him “the ideal performing artist,” and Early Music of London described his performance as “extremely expressive … brilliant and virtuosic.”

He has appeared as concerto soloist with many of the world’s major orchestras, including the Philadelphia, Boston, Minnesota and Montreal symphonies.  

Kroll has published numerous articles and editions and four books, including biographies of composers and pianists J. N. Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles. A dedicated educator, Kroll has taught worldwide and is professor emeritus at Boston University, where he founded and served 25 years as chair of the Department of Historical Performance.

Admission to the recital is free. It is sponsored by Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts and Music Department. 

Cal Poly enforces parking regulations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays. Visitors can pay to park in metered zones or purchase general parking permits for use in general parking areas only. The Grand Avenue parking structure is recommended. The parking lot south of the Performing Arts Center is closed because of construction.

For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406.