 Nebraska’s internationally recognized pianist, James Cook, has performed in cities of North America and Europe that include Berlin, Budapest, Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, Madrid, Mexico City, Minsk, Montreal, Munich, Quebec City, Rostock, St. Louis, San Antonio, Seville, Stockholm, Vienna and Warsaw. Among the midwest's most widely performed pianists of Europe’s largest cities, Cook first attracted international attention when he represented the United States in concert at the World’s Fair in Seville, Spain. This was followed by a personal invitation by Professor Barbara Hesse-Bukowska, the president of the Frederic Chopin Society of Poland, to play a Chopin recital in Warsaw at the famous Frederic Chopin Academy of Music. Professor Bukowska stated that “Cook is one of the most exceptional pianists ever to perform in this country.” In concert reviews, his recitals are frequently described as astonishing and powerful. Cook’s performances of the Liszt Sonata have been considered as among the most outstanding performances of this work. Following a performance at the Belarusian State Academy of Music in Minsk, Belarus, Cook’s Liszt playing was described as“great technical skill often overflowing with emotion..performed difficult works effortlessly and with perfection. Cook’s Liszt Sonata embodied the grandiose and was filled with philosophical statements.” A specialist of Frederic Chopin and composers of the Romantic Period, as well as the important piano composers of the Classical Period--Beethoven and Mozart, Cook’s repertoire is extensive and is comprised exclusively of works of the master composers of piano music. Cook’s repertoire includes fourteen piano concertos, over thirty works of Frederic Chopin, twenty works of Scarlatti and many works of Brahms, Liszt, Schumann, Rachmaninov and others whose works Cook continues to study and strive toward further improvement and perfection. Cook’s piano students have been among Nebraska’s most successful college pianists. Six piano students were awarded graduate assistantships and tuition waivers and have completed their doctorates and masters degrees at universities that include the University of Michigan, University of Massachusetts, University of Wisconsin, University of Nevada, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Eastern Illinois University and University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Most recently, one of his students received a full graduate assistantship to attend Baylor University. Cook is a recipient of the University of Nebraska's Outstanding Research and Creativity Award, the highest award the University of Nebraska system offers to faculty. As a Nebraska Arts Council Touring Program Artist, Cook has presented lecture-recitals in many Nebraska communities. Cook frequently represents UNK in special performances that include UNK Family Day and other university events that include performances at the Nebraska Museum of Art. Other activities include faculty recitals and concerts with the UNK Wind Ensemble on tour. Cook has completed two music CD recordings featuring live performances of works of Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Prokofiev. (see review excerpts)
 email: cookj@unk.edu
|