The Elements

Part of Classical Season 2018/19

Emotions run high in a recital from Italian pianist Alexander Gadjiev that pairs Bartók’s percussive Out of Doors with Prokofiev’s turbulent Sixth Sonata.

The programme opens with Brahms’ melancholy Intermezzo Op.117 No.2, culminating before the interval with Bartók’s pastoral, expressive Out of Doors.

Dramatic works by Berio and Schubert prepare the ground for the finale, the rhythmic, violently energetic Piano Sonata No.6 by Prokofiev.

Gadjiev, the son of two piano teachers, gave his first solo recital at the age of 10. He attributes his ability to give new life to different musical styles and languages to his hometown Gorizia – a natural crossroads of peoples, cultures and language.

Winning first prize in the Premio Venezia in 2013 gave Gadjiev the opportunity to perform throughout Italy and abroad. In 2015 he was awarded both first prize and the audience prize in the Ninth Hamamatsu International Piano Competition. In October 2018 he was awarded first prize in the Monte-Carlo Piano Masters Competition.

Performers

Alexander Gadjiev piano

Repertoire

Brahms: Intermezzo in B flat minor, Op.117 No.2
Berio: Wasserklavier
Chopin: Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.45; Barcarolle in F sharp, Op.60
Berio: Luftklavier
Bartók: Out of doors suite
Interval
Berio: Erdenklavier
Schubert: Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D.774 arr. Liszt for piano, S.558 No.2; Der Wanderer arr. Liszt for piano, S.558 No.11
Berio: Feuerklavier
Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No.6 in A, Op.82