Illustrious pianist to perform at Heidelberg

TIFFIN - A South African pianist and Grammy Award nominee Petronel Malan will perform a recital as this year's Distinguished Montague Artist at Heidelberg College at 7 p.m. March 23 in Ohl Concert Hall, Brenneman Music Hall.

Born in South Africa, Malan began lessons with her mother at age 4. She debuted with the Johannesburg Symphony at age 10. Malan moved to the United States to further her studies, receiving her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and her graduate degree from the University of North Texas. She is now a permanent resident of the United States, but retains very strong ties to her native country.

Malan is a multiple Grammy award nominee. Her nominations include "Best Instrumental Solo Album 2004" for her debut disc Transfigured Bach: The Complete Bach Transcriptions of Bartok, Lipatti and Friedman. In 2006, her Transfigured Mozart was released, followed by Transfigured, which is slated for international release later this year.

She is the winner of five international piano competition gold medals in 2000 and is lauded by reviewers as "a creative force in the classical music industry."

Malan also maintains a full performance schedule as recitalist, orchestral soloist and chamber musician in major venues throughout the world. She has played Carnegie Recital Hall, Salle Cortot in Paris, Mozarteum in Salzburg, Liszt Museum in Budapest, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Bass Hall in Fort Worth, and has made appearances at both Ravinia and Gilmore international piano festivals.

Malan's Heidelberg concert is free and open to the public.