3 minute read
Piano
Featuring the biggest names of the keyboard world, the Symphony Center Presents Piano series explores 300 years of thrilling repertoire with cherished masterpieces and modern classics. Artists this season include Chicago favorites Evgeny Kissin and Maurizio Pollini, along with series newcomers Alexandre Tharaud and Orli Shaham.
October 26 A Maurizio Pollini
“Pollini’s playing is powerful and precise, driven by a probing intellect and executed with steely, virtually infallible fingers” (The New York Times). Hear this legendary piano master live in concert at Orchestra Hall as he opens the Symphony Center Presents Piano 2014/15 season.
November 9 B
Pierre -Laurent Aimard
Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier changed the world’s understanding of counterpoint, rhythm and thematic transformation forever. French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard puts his unique stamp on the first book of this epic masterpiece. “This is Bach playing to listen to every day, fresh and spry” (Gramophone).
January 25 A Garrick Ohlsson
Program to include works by Scriabin, Prokofiev and Rachmaninov A sublime interpreter with magisterial power and exquisite finesse, Garrick Ohlsson commands an enormous repertoire. Prepare for an astounding afternoon of fine musicmaking. “Mr. Ohlsson offers interpretations that blend the gossamer and the athletic” (The New York Times).
Special Add-on:
AIMARD AND STEFANOVICH PLAY BOULEZ’S PIANO WORKS
Save up to 10% when you add this to your renewal order. See page 47 for more details. February 22 B
Olli Mustonen
Tchaikovsky Album for the Young Chopin Mazurkas from Op. 59 and 56 Mustonen Sonata (Jehkin Iivana) Scriabin Sonata No. 10 Scriabin Vers la flamme “An extraordinary pianist for extraordinary music… Mustonen’s dazzling pianism is truly hypnotic” (Gramophone). Few artists today can equal the combination of glittering sonorities and awe-inspiring agility of Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen. This superb talent brings a program blending pieces by two Russian masters, Tchaikovsky and Scriabin, and Chopin with his own Jehkin Livana, a work inspired by mystical Nordic legends.
March 8 B
András Schiff
Haydn Sonata in C Major Beethoven Sonata No. 30 Mozart Sonata in C Major, K. 545 Schubert Sonata in C Minor, D. 958 András Schiff’s impeccable clarity of tone illuminates everything he plays, yielding fresh, pure insights from treasured masterworks. In this concert, he launches a three-part, multi-season exploration of the final three sonatas by each of the greatest composers of the Classical era: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.
March 22 A Murray Perahia
Each time he returns to Symphony Center, American pianist Murray Perahia combines his trademark balanced sense of phrasing with spirited musicality and crisp articulation. “The commanding insights Perahia brings to this repertory…breathe freshness and distinction into works we’ve heard many times before, but seldom played at this inspired level” (Chicago Tribune).
April 19 B
Evgeny Kissin
Beethoven Sonata No. 21 (Waldstein) Prokofiev Sonata No. 4 in C Minor Rachmaninov Select Op. 23 and
Op. 32 Preludes “The capacity crowd leapt to its feet at the end, roaring its appreciation, clearly hoping to hear another marathon of encores” (Chicago Tribune). Don’t miss Evgeny Kissin’s exceptional artistry and dazzling virtuosity in his annual visit to Symphony Center, certain to be one of the musical events of the year.
May 3 A
CÉDRIC TIBERGHIEN
Ravel Gaspard de la nuit Debussy A selection of preludes and etudes Szymanowski Mask Debussy Masques Debussy D’un cahier d’esquisses Debussy L’isle joyeuse French pianist Cédric Tiberghien makes his Symphony Center Presents Piano series debut with a delightful, mostly Gallic program. “The highlight was brilliant pianist Cédric Tiberghien, who played with a rich, rounded tone and fleet, crisp articulation” (The New York Times).
May 10 B
Alexandre Tharaud
Couperin Seven Pieces Rameau Movements from
Suite in A Satie Avant-dernières Pensées Satie Gnossiennes Nos. 1, 3 and 4 Ravel Miroirs Magnetic French pianist Alexandre Tharaud makes his Symphony Center debut with a program pairing Baroque French works with pieces by Satie and Ravel. “Mr. Tharaud played with a subdued sensitivity and delicacy of touch that demanded close attention. He got it” (The New York Times).
May 31 A Orli Shaham
Bach Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major Schoenberg Six Little Piano Pieces Brahms Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118 Schubert Impromptu in G-flat Major Adolphe Intermezzo, My Inner Brahms Brahms Four Piano Pieces, Op. 119 A pianist of grace and vitality, Orli Shaham is an extraordinarily gifted artist with flawless technique and remarkable musicality. Enjoy a delightful afternoon with her selection of keyboard gems by Bach, Brahms, Schubert and more in this Symphony Center Presents Piano debut!
