Behind every artist, behind every piece, lies a story waiting to be told.  German-born Andreas Klein said his obligation is not to entertain but to bring that story to life.

Klein began playing the piano at the age of 5. After listening to his grandparents play the piano together, Klein said he was somehow fascinated by music and his parents then started him off with a good piano teacher.

Klein will perform at Sacramento State on Saturday for the music department’s Piano Series.  Klein said he hopes to not only tell his story, but the composer’s story as well.

“It is not about me showing off how I play,” Klein said. “It is about the composer telling the story to the audience.”

If he is successful at making the story come to life, Klein said those who do not typically attend piano recitals may begin to take interest.

“(Students) do not have many opportunities (to experience piano),” Klein said. “The institution of piano recital is less and less popular.”

Singing and guitar playing is popular today, but it is very limited in terms of versatility, Klein said.

The Piano Series was started in 1994 because Sac State piano professor Richard Cionco said Sacramento needed and wanted more piano-related events.

“Most, if not all, of the piano majors attend the Piano Series concerts regularly,” Cionco said.  “As for the music majors in general, they mostly come when they can, being very busy people.”

The series is not only supported by music students on campus, but also captures the attention of an off-campus audience.

“The Piano Series has a wonderful and broad-based audience from off campus,” Cionco said.  “They are loyal supporters because they love piano music and many play the piano as well.”

During piano recitals, the audience is forced to listen to the music and not be distracted by effects such as lighting, smoke machines and costumes, Klein said.

“(For a Beyonce concert) it is not about the music, it is about the whole package,” Klein said.  “For a (piano) recital it is all about the music.”

Piano music can be easily listened to via the Internet, which makes it very unlikely for a piece to go unheard.

“This generation of students grew up with the ability to listen to everything that is released,” Klein said. “(One hundred years ago) many pieces never had a chance to actually be listened to because it was not playing in (a particular) hometown.”

From learning at such a young age, Klein said that in order to compose a symphony or a sonata, one must be well-educated, trained and diligent.

“(Performances) are like a good dinner; you think about what will go well together,” Klein said.

For Klein’s performance at Sac State, he will perform pieces from two composers, Ferruccio Busoni and Franz Liszt.

“Andreas Klein brings an international flair to the series,” Cionco said. “His program …will address the Liszt Centenary as well as Liszt’s musical lineage to and influences on Busoni.”

Pieces will include drama, contrast, beauty and sometimes aggression, Klein said.

A story that displays these themes and moods can be inspired by just about anything in life.

“It is difficult to pinpoint inspiration,” Klein said.  “You see and experience things which can all contribute to inspiration.”

Andreas Klein’s performance is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Capistrano Hall. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors.

Marwa Diaf can be reached at [email protected].