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Reviving Classical Music

Pianist George Lepauw

Fan of classical music? Most likely, the answer is no. Pianist George Lepauw is trying to change that.

I believe that music and all the arts have significant impact on the way people think and the way the world goes. - George Lepauw

“I want to change people’s perceptions of classical music… We think about classical music as something very rigid. I believe that music and all the arts have significant impact on the way people think and the way the world goes.”

Lepauw and the two other classical musicians who make up the Beethoven Project Trio were the first to perform a lost work by the composer a few years ago, “Piano Trio in E-Flat Major.” That performance launched the International Beethoven Project, which he says is more about music and art than it is about Beethoven.

During this Talk of Iowa interview with host Charity Nebbe, Lepauw talks about his work, gives an in-studio performance and explains how he’s trying to revive classical music. Tim Hankewich, Music Director for Orchestra Iowa, also joins the conversation.

Iowa Public Radio would like to thank West Musicfor lending us the keyboard Lepauw plays during this program. 

Tags
Arts & Life IPR Classical
Lindsey Moon is IPR's Senior Digital Producer
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa