Italian pianist Beatrice Rana has been captivating listeners worldwide with electrifying performances that marry exhilarating power and precision with a startling sensitivity to the poetry underlying a musical score. “Her startling technique remains among the most faultless of young pianists today, and it was displayed, in this recital, in some dazzling repertoire.” — The Washington Post The Oratorio del Gonfalone in Rome is a former church of the 16th century. It is a jewel of the Roman Renaissence, with frescoes showing “The Stories of the Passion of Christ”, made by prominent artists such as Federico Zuccari, Cesare Nebbia and Livio Agresti between 1569 and 1576. The building is now profaned and and the site is used for many of the concerts by the Coro Polifonico Romano. PROGRAM Bach: French Suite No. 2; Debussy: Études, Book 1; Chopin: Scherzo Nos. 1-4
Kit Armstrong plays Wagner and Liszt
Bayreuth is not only the city of Richard Wagner, but also of his father-in-law Franz Liszt. Described by the New York Times as a “brilliant pianist” who combines “musical maturity and youthful daring in his exceptional playing”, Kit Armstrong performed at the famous Margravial Opera House Bayreuth, a masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture, works by Wagner, Liszt and Mozart in a concert that was “technically sophisticated – and poetically poignant”. (Der Opernfreund) Alfred Brendel, who has guided Armstrong as teacher and mentor since 2005, ascribes to him “an understanding of the great piano works that combines freshness and subtlety, emotion and intellect”. PRPGRAM: Works by Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and W.A. Mozart