On new episode of ‘The Munro Review on CMAC,’ meet Matthew Horton and Karen Madden in Fresno Pacific’s ‘For the Love of Piano’

The latest episode of “The Munro Review on CMAC” is here, and it includes a story from the gorgeous new performing arts center at Fresno Pacific University. In it I talk to pianists Matthew Horton and Karen Madden, who perform in this weekend’s “For the Love of Piano” concert (7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Warkentine Culture & Arts Center). The interview starts at the 13:50 mark:

The episode has some great moments, including:

• Horton and Madden performing on two pianos, as they will in the concert, and discussing their program, which will feature the music of Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Arensky. Horton is Fresno Pacific’s accompanist. Madden is a piano instructor and director of keyboard studies. Lending their vocals at the concert will be guest artists Sherah Moore Burdick (soprano), Kaylene Clark (alto), Aaron Burdick (tenor) and Joseph Camaquin-Vigil (baritone). Horton and Madden discuss what it’s like to be so in sync with each other at the keyboard that they don’t need a conductor to stay perfectly together. They also praise the new arts center and what it means to the university’s music program.

• Celebrated author and peach farmer David Mas Masumoto visits CMAC to talk about his new book, “Secret Harvests,” the story of his “lost aunt” separated from his family for 70 years. (“Every family has secrets,” he writes.) The book is beautifully illustrated with more than 30 woodblock prints by Patricia Wakida. A reading by Masumoto and an ArtHop exhibition of Wakida’s woodblock prints is March 2 at the Downtown Artist Gallery.

• Two wonderful Good Company Players actors visit CMAC as well. Jessica Knotts talks about her role in “Shakespeare in Love” (at the 2nd Space Theatre), and Roger Christensen represents the new production of “Singin’ in the Rain” at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater. There are interesting similarities between the two shows and actors: Each title was adapted from a movie into a play; and each title had a big impact on the respective actors in their formative years.

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• Plus: my usual wrap-up of news and commentary from The Munro Review.

It’s all coming to you from the CMAC studios. Hope you enjoy!

The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible.