A Murray Perahia recital is an event no self-respecting classical piano aficionado would miss, unless he were 6,000 miles away or six feet under. Perahia is one of those keyboard greats who is absolutely devoted to the music — humble, thoughtful, as intensely intellectual as he is soulful. No flashy haircuts, rhinestone duds or other showy accompaniments for him — his only desire is to get it right. Recently appointed president of the Jerusalem Music Center established by the late Isaac Stern, Perahia is devoted to music education and regards classical as the “incarnation of democracy.” He's currently editing a new urtext edition of the Beethoven sonatas, which means we just might get the definitive interpretation of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109, at his Disney Hall concert this week. But Perahia's flawless tone, technique and insight encompass the entire piano repertoire, as he'll undoubtedly demonstrate with Bach's intricate, finger-whupping Partita No. 6; Schumann's tender, pristine Scenes from Childhood; and four works by Chopin, among them the fiery Scherzo No. 4 in E minor and the ringing, singing, wickedly challenging “Aeolian Harp” étude, which sounds like it's being played by four pianists, not one.

Tue., Oct. 13, 8 p.m., 2009

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