Alan Walker spent 25 years of his life compiling a three-volume biography on 19th-century pianist Franz Liszt. This week, he will pass that knowledge on to University students and faculty through a series of classes and workshops.

Walker, who will be at the University until Feb. 3, is making the trip from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and will be in residence at the University’s School of Music and Dance as a Robert M. Trotter Visiting Professor.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with students and faculty,” Walker said. “Especially the students, as they are what’s important. I hope to be a little evangelical and bring them some insight on Liszt.”
Walker, who previously worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation and has written several books on the Austrian composer, will give free lectures to anyone interested and will also discuss Liszt’s works at two performances.
On Tuesday, students will perform the works of Liszt, and Walker will discuss each piece. For students, this means a lot of preparation and work in advance for their performances.
“I have been doing a lot of practice and intense score study to try and build a relationship with the music,” said Alexander Schwarzkopf, a University student and graduate teaching fellow. “The breadth of knowledge that Dr. Walker brings is certainly daunting, but to meet with someone of his knowledge is of infinite value.”
The opportunity to learn from someone like Walker is an opportunity that many, including music student Kyle Wayne Parker, are looking forward to.
“I like (Liszt’s) music and so few people can play it well,” said Parker, a piano composition major. “So, it’s nice to see an authority on it come around.”
The week-long visit by Walker comes soon after Oregon formed its own chapter of the American Liszt Society at the University, which specializes in the work of Liszt.
“This is our first project and it’s as good as it gets,” said Oregon Liszt Society president and University piano professor Alexandre Dossin. “When it comes to Liszt, we have to quote Alan Walker because so much of what we know about the greatest pianist comes from him. It’s going to be a dream for students.”
Walker’s arrival also showcases the high level of the University’s music school, Dossin said. With the construction underway on a new music department building and events such as the Walker residency, the school is becoming one of the country’s elite programs.
“We’re becoming a top school, if we’re not already,” Dossin said. “It’s a school that should be watched and I think people are noticing.”
Walker is also aware of the University’s music program’s rising credibility and said more schools need to be like the music program here.
“This is my first visit to the U of O and everything I hear about this school is promising,” Walker said. “I prefer universities like Oregon that have that performance aspect included because music is something that you do, not just talk about.”
Students of the University’s music school are also noticing the rise of the department, and bringing in someone like Walker showcases that.
“This speaks volumes about the people here and their willingness to make the connection to bring others in from the world of music,” Schwarzkopf said. “This is just an incredible opportunity to learn from somebody’s work that I have studied first hand. We are incredibly privileged to have him and his willingness to come and work with us.”
Dossin added that anyone, not just musicians, can enjoy Walker’s visit and that he encourages everyone to come and learn from what he has to say.
“Anyone can read Walker’s work on Liszt and be fascinated,” said Dossin. “He is a big name to come to campus and a great opportunity for everyone at the University.”
Almost all the events are free, with the exception of a final concert on the last day, and Walker said he hopes he can bring as much to the students as he can.
“You can’t develop very far without coming across Liszt,” Walker said. “Any student who wants to speak with me, I’d be more than willing to talk with them about Liszt or the piano.”