Tones Through Time: A Free Piano Concert at FEU Tracing the History of Western Music

Before a single note is played, there is already a journey waiting to unfold, one that moves not through space, but through centuries of sound.

On January 21, the Far Eastern University Center for the Arts opens the doors of the FEU Auditorium to that journey with Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey, a free admission informational piano concert led by internationally acclaimed pianist and educator Dr. Raffi Kasparian.

This is not simply a recital. It is an invitation to listen with context, to hear how Western music grew, shifted, and responded to the world across generations. Through carefully chosen works and thoughtful narration, the concert traces the evolution of musical language from the Baroque period to the 20th century, guiding audiences through Classical balance, Romantic emotion, Impressionistic color, and modern experimentation.

The result is an experience designed not only to be heard, but understood.

Listening as Learning

Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey is built around the idea that music becomes richer when listeners are given the tools to engage with it. Each piece is framed by insight that explains its place in history, its stylistic traits, and the ideas that shaped its creation.

Rather than assuming familiarity, the concert welcomes curiosity. It speaks to students encountering classical music for the first time, educators seeking deeper context, and audiences who simply want to understand why certain sounds feel the way they do.

In an age of shortened attention and passive consumption, the act of slowing down and listening with intention feels almost radical.

A Return to FEU and a Continuing Philippine Tour

Dr. Kasparian’s performance at Far Eastern University is part of his 2026 Philippine concert tour, which includes appearances in Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Holy Angel University in Angeles City, the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, and the Manila Pianos Showroom.

The FEU concert is produced by the FEU Center for the Arts, with support from the Silaw Foundation and DZFE 98.7 FM, continuing a shared commitment to cultural education, outreach, and campus based artistic programming.

That this concert is offered free to the public reflects a belief that music education should remain accessible, especially within academic spaces where artistic curiosity is still being formed.

About the Artist

Dr. Raffi Kasparian, D.M.A., has built a career that bridges performance, education, and interdisciplinary inquiry.

He has given solo and collaborative performances throughout the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, with a repertoire that spans classical masterworks, original compositions, and imaginative arrangements of popular and sacred music. His concerts are widely admired for blending musical excellence with clear, engaging narration, creating performances that are both artistically and intellectually rewarding.

For 24 years, Dr. Kasparian served as pianist of The United States Army Chorus, the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band known as Pershing’s Own. In this role, he performed at distinguished venues such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Kennedy Center, and major concert halls across the United States.

His musical outreach to the Philippines began in 1996 with concerts at the University of the Philippines College of Music and Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte. He later encouraged the establishment of the Silaw Foundation, which is dedicated in part to cultural outreach through piano concerts.

Over the years, his performances in the country have included collaborations with his son Roman and landmark appearances with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, including concerts at Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and at Far Eastern University, also recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site.

Dr. Kasparian holds a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He also pursued advanced studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Alongside his musical career, he maintained a long standing parallel career as a software engineer, reflecting his deep interest in mathematics. His work includes the co authored book Java for Artists and presentations on mathematical discoveries at international conferences, highlighting the intersection of music, logic, and creativity that defines his work.

His recordings and live performances are available on his YouTube channel, Quantime Classics.

Why This Concert Matters

There is something quietly affirming about a university choosing to host a concert that prioritizes understanding over spectacle.

Tones Through Time reminds us that music is not static. It is a living record of how people once thought, felt, and imagined the world. By placing that history in a campus setting and opening it freely to the public, the FEU Center for the Arts reinforces the role of universities as cultural stewards, not just academic institutions.

For students, the concert offers a rare chance to hear history unfold in real time. For educators, it provides a model of how art and explanation can coexist. For the wider public, it is an opportunity to experience a world class musician in an environment designed for learning, reflection, and shared listening.

Event Details

Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey
Artist: Dr. Raffi Kasparian, D.M.A.
Date: January 21, 2026
Venue: FEU Auditorium
Admission: Free

Presented by: FEU Center for the Arts
With support from: Silaw Foundation and DZFE 98.7 FM

Registration link:
https://forms.office.com/r/wS8B3qpyQp

Some journeys ask you to travel far. Others ask only that you listen closely.