Virtual Calvin January Series: Dan Tepfer

Dan Tepfer From Bach to Natural Machines: Algorithms as the Shapers of Music

Dan is a pianist-composer. He has recorded and performed around the world and composed for various ensembles. He believes the best music exists at the intersection of the spiritual and the algorithmic.  

His performances incorporate improvisation at the piano accompanied by a computer program he wrote to interact with the music—both musically and visually—in real-time. While Tepfer may have more technology available than classical composers, he has discovered algorithms and logical systems in other famous works, including those by Bach.  

Tepfer takes a unique approach to his compositions. Additionally, his musical prowess is recognized across the world. His piano quintet, Solar Spiral, was premiered in 2016 at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, with Tepfer performing alongside the Avalon String Quartet. Tepfer has received commissions from the Prague Castle Guard Orchestra for his suite Algorithmic Transform and concerto The View from Orohena (2010). In the summer of 2019, Tepfer unveiled his jazz-trio arrangement of Stravinsky’s Baroque-channeling Pulcinella. 

The January Series is a FREE 15-day award-winning lecture series that takes place each year at Calvin University.  The series aims to cultivate deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day, to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God's world. We are thankful to share this special gift with our local, regional, and global community, thanks to our underwriters.