Conrad Tao Performs Work by John Supko
The celebrated pianist and composer Conrad Tao inaugurated the second season of Nova Linea Musica last week, with an electrifying performance at Guarneri Hall in Chicago. The program was a bold exploration of the intersection between piano and electronics, reflecting Tao's reputation for expanding the possibilities of the concert stage.
A Season-Opening Statement
At the heart of the evening was a piece composed by our very own John Supko, One Hundred Thousand Billion Pieces for Piano and Computer. The work, which merges live piano performance with algorithmic processes, exemplifies Supko's fascination with digital poetics and Tao's gift for adventurous programming. According to Tao, who discussed the piece in a recent WILL (Illinois Public Media) interview, the work invites listeners into a constantly shifting soundscape where the piano and computer interlace in unpredictable ways.
Reviews and Reception
Chicago critics responded enthusiastically to Tao's opening concert.
- Third Coast Review described the performance as one where "echoes and algorithms intertwined to open Nova Linea Musica's season on a thrillingly experimental note."
- Seen and Heard International characterized Guarneri Hall as a "lab for Tao's digital experiments," praising both his virtuosic playing and his curatorial vision for blending tradition with technology.
Together, these reviews underscore Tao's role not just as a performer but as a catalyst for new listening experiences.
Conrad Tao and the Department of Music
Tao's connection to innovative music-making also extends to his longstanding friendship with the Duke University Department of Music. Over the past decade, he has been a frequent presence on campus-performing works by graduate composers, recording pieces such as Eren Gümrükçüoğlu’s dissertation, Pareidolia, and even co-teaching a graduate seminar in Fall 2023. His collaborations with Duke reflect the same openness to experimentation and mentorship that he brings to his concert work.
Looking Ahead
By opening Nova Linea Musica's 2025-26 season with One Hundred Thousand Billion Pieces for Piano and Computer, Conrad Tao reaffirmed his role as an artist who thrives at the edges of tradition and innovation. The concert not only launched the season but also signaled a continued commitment to presenting music that challenges and inspires. In October, Tao will be performing and presenting a piano masterclass in Baldwin Auditorium.
Background on John Supko's Composition
Third Coast Review
Seen and Heard International
WILL (Illinois Public Media) Radio Interview
Conrad Tao Duke Performances