Fans of 20th century modernist music can satisfy their musical craving at the latest edition of the Bowdoin Music Department's Teatime Concert Series. Blair McMillen, a young and accomplished modernist pianist, will perform selections from Debussy, Bartok, Ives, and other contemporary composers. The concert is today at 4 p.m. in Gibson Hall.

The person to thank for this musical opportunity is Elliott Scwartz, the Robert K. Beckwith professor of music. He met McMillen, a Juilliard graduate, 10 years ago at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where McMillen was performing pieces composed by Schwartz himself. The two have been friends ever since.

McMillen has a wide-ranging repertoire from many musical eras and is considered to be one of the most accomplished young pianists today. He has played all around the world, including venues such as Carnegie Hall and for former president Bill Clinton.

McMillen is a resident at Bard College. Although he is only in his 30s, McMillen has worked with some of today's most distinguished composers, including George Crumb, John Harbison, Conrad Cummings, and Lee Hyla. His latest solo album, "Soundings," was released in 2004. McMillen has been hailed for his riveting and imaginative performance of modern classical music.

"Blair is a very dynamic and versatile piano soloist, incredibly active in New York City. He promotes 20th century music, which, by the way, is the course I teach here at Bowdoin," Schwartz told the Orient. "He plays not only the giants—Claude Debussy, Bela Bartok, Charles Ives—but also pieces by slightly well-known composers like Wuorinen, for example."

The performance will include highlights from all these geniuses. Maestro McMillen has also planned a performance of a piece by contemporary composer and pianist Eric Moe.

"Moe is very interesting in that he uses music of the past, takes little snippets of other people's music and inscribes it with his own romantic and crazy touch. He has been called, among other things, Rachmaninoff in hell," said Scwartz.

The teatime concert also has one more secret to unravel:

"It will also feature a composition by Annie Gosfield. Her piece requires the pianist to do something with baseballs," Schwartz told the Orient, causing some bewilderment.

"Yes, actually it is true," said Schwartz. "This piece is called 'October 1941.' It has to do with one of the most notorious errors in baseball history."

McMillen will also give a talk about his performance and music at noon in Gibson Hall.