World-renowned composer to perform during ASU Gammage 50th anniversary season

In celebration of ASU Gammage’s 50th Anniversary, Philip Glass, one of the world’s most influential composers whose works are included in major motion pictures, opera, theater and dance, and are routinely performed around the globe, will return to ASU Gammage at 7 p.m., Feb. 28.

Tickets are on sale now for $35 (students $10) at the ASU Gammage Box Office and online at asugammage.com.

Glass has written music for experimental theater directed by celebrated director Robert Wilson and for Academy Award-winning motion pictures, such as “The Hours” and Martin Scorsese’s “Kundun.” ASU Gammage has a long-time partnership with Glass, having presented his Robert Wilson collaborations, “Monsters of Grace” and “Dracula,” as well as his “The Hours” piano concerto and other works.

Glass will perform his complete set of piano etudes, including the newly written Etudes 16-20, along with two guest pianists, Maki Namekawa and Ashley Oakley. Namekawa is an internationally acclaimed pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and major concert halls throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. Oakley, an Arizona State University adjunct faculty member, is an accomplished concert pianist who specializes in new music and was hand-picked by Glass to be the Arizona guest pianist for this concert.

The Philip Glass performance is part of ASU Gammage’s 2014-2015 BEYOND series, which for 23 years has evolved into a carefully curated series that brings world-class artists into the community. The artists selected present compelling live performances while connecting with Valley residents through artist residency programs, master classes and public performances. The BEYOND series is made possible by the Margaret T. Morris Foundation, The Way Family/Way Family Charitable Foundation, Reverend Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey, US Airways, APS, NEFA and media partner KJZZ and KBAQ.