The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic's October 8th concert honors pianist, organist and IU School of Music Dean emeritus Charles Webb, with the title "Living Legend." The concert opens with Mussorgsky's colorful Pictures at an Exhibition, and then features Charles Webb as the piano soloist in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy.
Webb amusedly agrees that he's happier with the ‘living' part of the title than he is with the 'legend.' Although many of Webb's contemporaries have left the concert stage, he continues to be a much sought-after soloist, chamber player and accompanist. "When you've practiced and played for audiences during most of your life, you do it because you enjoy it. And barring accidents or ill health, I'll continue so long as I can continue to perform, to satisfy my own internal measure of success."
For Saturday night's concert, Webb plays music that was premiered by Beethoven. "It was part of a huge concert in 1808, and he wanted a brilliant finale. As often happens with composition, he left the piano ‘til the end and worked from sketches to improvise his part. Later he wrote it out. It's substantial, almost a piano concerto. I enjoy improvising, but in this case I'll be playing just the notes that he left us."