Craig Sheppard

University of Washington piano professor Craig Sheppard likes a big challenge — and challenges don't come much bigger than the works of Franz Liszt, with his storm clouds of notes roaring from the keyboard. Sheppard will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Liszt's birth with a recital of the first two volumes of his "Années de Pèlerinage" ("Years of Pilgrimage"). This three-volume cycle of "miniatures" (a couple of them well over 10 minutes long) was inspired by Liszt's European travels with his mistress as they fled scandal in Paris. Each piece pays homage to a place seen (in Italy or Switzerland), a book read (Dante, Petrarch) or some tempestuous weather experienced. Along with high drama, there are passages of Chopin-like dreaminess. Sheppard — who commands both a big keyboard sound and a delicate touch, as required — should be well up to the task. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Meany Hall, University of Washington, Seattle; $12-$20 (206-543-4880 or www.music.washington.edu).

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times arts writer