Robert Kaku Gunn
at the piano
Empty Hand Zen Center
The Loft
45 Lawton Street
New Rochelle, New York 10801
March 2, 2018, 7:30 PM
THE PROGRAM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Vier Impromptus D 899, Opus 90
I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Allegro
III. Andante
IV. Allegretto
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Nocturnes
I. Larghetto
II. Andante
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, “Pathétique”
I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
II. Adagio cantabile
III. Rondo: Allegro
Robert Kaku Gunn, better known as a psychotherapist, author, Zen Buddhist priest and Christian pastor than as a pianist, considers himself a belated but persevering student of the piano at the age of 75. He does lay claim, however, to having performed at Avery Fisher Hall in 1963 when Leonard Bernstein and company were still trying to resolve the acoustical problems of the then brand new concert hall with “clouds.” He took the piano onstage as the accompanist for the Columbia College Glee Club and appeared again, not just as a first tenor in the club, but also in “Notes and Keys,” the free-spirited octet that brought a special spice to the club’s appearances. When asked why the program has neither the fourth impromptu nor the third nocturne, he replied, “My grandmother always told me to leave a little bit of something undone; that way you’ll have a reason to return. It’s my way of saying ‘See you next year!’”