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Alexandre Kantorow

Alexandre Kantorow

Renowned French pianist Alexandre Kantorow showcases the visions of four great composer-pianists in a captivating recital.

Described by Fanfare Magazine as ‘Liszt reincarnated’, Alexandre Kantorow is the first French pianist to win the Gold Medal and Grand Prix at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. In his International Festival debut recital, he explores works by four great composer-pianists.

Hungarian music is at the heart of the concert’s first half. Franz Liszt’s pieces Chasse-neige and Vallée d’Obermann summon up a snowstorm and a spectacular landscape. Béla Bartók’s expansive Rhapsody Op 1 pays tribute to Liszt and to Hungarian folk traditions. The programme also includes Johannes Brahms’s Rhapsody in B Minor, another piece that would inspire Bartók.

In the second half, we hear Sergei Rachmaninoff’s monumental First Piano Sonata. Inspired by the story of Faust and his pact with the Devil – and Liszt’s ‘Faust’ Symphony – this passionate piece culminates in an electrifying depiction of a witches’ sabbath.

the-warm-up

Festival Director Nicola Benedetti highlights the morning ritual of chamber concerts at the Queens Hall, and how this special atmosphere of calm and concentration is the perfect start to your festival

The Warm Up: Queen's Hall

Buy standard price tickets to three or more concerts at The Queen’s Hall and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

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Fire-breathing virtuoso with poetic charm

Gramaphone

Supported by Inches Carr Trust

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    Programme

    A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.

    The encores performed on 8 Aug were

    Saint-Saëns Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix from Samson and Delilah, arr. Nina Simone

    Ravel Jeux d'eau


    Alexandre Kantorow Piano


    Brahms Rhapsody in B minor Op 79 No 1

    Liszt Chasse-neige

    Liszt Années de Pèlerinage: 1e année: Suisse S160- 6. Vallée d'Obermann

    Bartók Rhapsody Op 1

    Rachmaninoff Sonata No 1

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