North Georgia College & State University will mark the 200th birthday of legendary composer Franz Liszt with two free concerts Oct. 22 by Joe Chapman, the university’s director of keyboard studies.

Liszt was born in Hungary on Oct. 22, 1811, and is considered one of the greatest pianists. He also was a composer, conductor and teacher.

Chapman will present two free concerts at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Gloria Shott Performance Hall, located in the John L. Nix Mountain Cultural Center on the university’s Dahlonega campus. Guests are encouraged to arrive early as seating is limited.

Chapman will open the concert with "Orage," followed by "Liebesträum," "La Campanella," "Un Sospiro," and "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2."

The second half of the program consists of a single work, Sonata in B Minor, a composition that transforms a classical idea into a Romantic masterpiece.

Chapman has performed in the United States and eight foreign countries as a pianist, conductor, vocalist and accompanist. His solo piano recitals have been performed in Georgia and throughout the Southeast, including programs for public radio and television.

As professor of music at North Georgia, Chapman serves as the founder and coordinator of the university’s annual All-American Piano Celebration, which brings pianists to North Ga. for live performances of works by American composers. This year’s event is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Gloria Shott Performance Hall, and is open to the public.

For more information, contact North Georgia’s Department of Performing Arts at 706-864-1423 or visit www.northgeorgia.edu/music.