In 2020, composer Christopher Mayo stumbled upon a collection of reel-to-reel tape recordings made by his mother and uncle in the late 1950s. These tapes captured a portrait of family life, featuring casual conversations, the laughter of children at play, the constant chirping of a pet bird, and, most notably, various family members playing the piano. Inspired by these intimate moments, Mayo composed Reel, a new 16-minute piece for solo piano commissioned by Piano Lunaire for performance by a consortium of pianists—Siwan Rhys, Jana Luksts, and Adam Sherkin. Mayo will discuss the background and composition of his work. The lecture/recital will also feature a live performance of Reel by pianist Adam Sherkin. 

Christopher Mayo’s works have been commissioned and performed by leading ensembles worldwide, including London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, London Sinfonietta, Crash Ensemble, Alarm Will Sound, and Manchester Camerata. Christopher is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sonic Arts, Composition, and Music Theory at Queen’s.

Adam Sherkin is a dynamic artist who commands a multi-dimensional approach to performance and composition. His solo repertoire features music from the Baroque to present-day, with a specialization in keyboard works from North America (including his own). Recently, Sherkin’s music has been premiered in Mexico, the United States, the Netherlands and Asia.