Internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Nicholas Roth performed on Saturday in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

Roth’s performance featured several works, namely the eight-piece cycle of German Romantic composer Robert Schumann.

Schumann’s musical set is normally performed separately, however Roth performed the entire cycle together.

Roth said he liked playing the entire cycle because the pieces are interesting.

The event finale concluded with a patriotic musical piece from American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk named “The Union.”

“I found this to be one of the more fascinating pieces because it utilizes tunes that are familiar to every American, you know, the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’, ‘Yankee Doodle’ and the lesser known ‘Hail Columbia,’” Roth said. “Because of that I knew that the audience would certainly be familiar with some of the material.

Roth played for an audience of 30 people. The recital lasted for two hours, during which Roth played each piece of the program skillfully, playing the piano sometimes in an almost trancelike way.

Dr. Kevin Hampton, chair of the Department of Music said Roth’s knowledge of the pieces was strictly from memory alone. After a short pause between pieces, Roth played the next smoothly and without hesitation. At the conclusion of the performance, Roth took several bows to the applause of the audience.

The recital was well received by the audience.

“Dr. Roth showed off a lot of his technical abilities,” said guest Landon Schnurbusch. “He showed spot-on integrity and did an amazing job.”

“Roth is a phenomenal pianist,” Andrew Bailey, a student house manager for the recital, said. “He really brings out the emotional appeal and emotional value in the pieces.”

Roth is notable for his contributions to the musical arts, winning several competitions worldwide and being honored by the Indiana House of Representatives.

Roth has appeared in concerts, taught the musical arts to students internationally and received the Jacobs School of Music’s highest honors.

In addition to his guest performance, Roth will be working with piano majors in master classes and assisting them with their musical interpretation.

Hampton said he thinks this is a great opportunity for students to work with someone who is an internationally recognised artist.

“We are very excited about this, to be able to be on a major label’s artist roster is a significant international achievement,” Hampton said. “So it’s really rather prestigious and it says a lot about what Dr. Roth has been able to accomplish as a pianist.”

Roth said students should stick with their path if music is their true passion.

“Of course we should always follow our dreams and aspirations, so if you really love music then you should stay in it and study it,” Roth said.