Jeremy Denk talks to the fellows at the 2007 NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera before performing Charles Ives' Concord Sonata on Bargemusic in New York. Behind him is institute co-director and NPR Music senior producer Anya Grundmann. Photo by Rich Copley.

When I heard Joshua Bell was coming to the Norton Center for the Arts for a recital Monday night, I was excited. When I heard Jeremy Denk was set to be his accompanist, that feeling doubled.

In October 2007, I got to spend a little time in Denk’s sphere as part of the NEA’s Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University. Among the slate of artists and arts journalists that participated, including conductor James Conlon and New Yorker critic Alex Ross, was Denk. His two appearances with us were on a blogging panel with critic Terry Teachout and performing Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata at Bargemusic, literally a recital hall on a Barge next to the Brooklyn Bridge — had to limit my time actually watching Denk perform, because he was in front of a window through which we could see the Brooklyn skyline bobbing up and down.

The performance was exhilarating and informed by Denk’s witty and reverential discussion between movements. But the thing that fascinated me was that Denk was on a blogging panel. Before heading to NYC, I decided to check out Denk’s blog, with a little skepticism. After all, we were journalists. Wouldn’t we rather hear from another fellow journalist with a journalistic blog, like Teachout, rather than some artist prattling on about himself?

That skepticism vanished when I started reading Think Denk: The Glamous Life and Thoughts of a Concert Pianist for the first time. The blog is as self-depricating as its title indicates, which I quickly discovered in the first post I read, about accidentally receiving a package addressed to Yo-Yo Ma.

Often, Think Denk is about the rigors of touring, even playing second banana to bigger-name artists like his most recent post, a live blog about an all-star concert in London which he played with Bell. He talks about how he knows he’ll have to play on a piano bench adjusted for bigger name players Radu Lupu (sports car low) or Andras Schiff (firm and high).

But even in the midst of his second banananess, he finds unexpected affirmation when Schiff tells Denk he loved his Sarah Palin blog. Denk made a little splash in October with a faux interview with the Republican vice-presidential candidate about Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata.

JD: I just simply can’t believe in the midst of this intense campaign season, you could find the time to talk with me about the “Hammerklavier” Sonata.

SP: Well, ya know, Beethoven was the dude who said thanks but no thanks to Napoleon. Plus from all the mavericky songs he wrote, maybe this one could be known as the most maverickyest.

As funny as Think Denk can be, it’s also extremely insightful, particularly as Denk routinely includes musical notation to explain ideas he’s mulling over. That thoughtfulness is evident in his recordings, and in performance. In blogging, Denk is obviously exploring form, much like a pianist explores his instrument.

My skepticism disappeared in discovering a artist with a lot to say, in many ways, and well worth reading and hearing — like, say, Monday night.

Further reading:

~ Joshua Bell: A bow wonder

~ Joshua Bell: Violin hero?