Simon Callaghan - CANCELLED

Programme

Beethoven Sonata in C minor Op 13 ‘Pathétique’ 
Debussy La plus que lente L128
Grainger Country Gardens
Debussy Préludes, Book 1 L125 IV: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir 
Grainger Molly on the Shore 
Debussy Préludes, Book 1 L125 VIII: La fille aux cheveux de lin 
Stravinsky (arr. Agosti) The Firebird Suite 

Pianist Simon Callaghan begins his programmes with one of Beethoven’s most celebrated sonatas, subtitled Grande sonate pathétique by his publishers. It is the first of Beethoven’s sonatas to begin with a slow introduction, setting the scene for a dramatic work, exploiting the potential of the piano of Beethoven’s day to its fullest.

The remainder of Callaghan’s programme showcases a colourful array of compositions from the first decade of the twentieth century, from Debussy’s exquisite preludes, Grainger’s folk-influenced miniatures, and concluding with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, in a virtuoso arrangement by Guido Agouti, dedicated to his teacher, the great pianist-composer, Ferruccio Busoni.

Click here to read Simon Callaghan's biography

"...velvet-gloved pianism of ravishing sensitivity" The Strad

"...Simon Callaghan played with breath-taking nuance in the extremely complex, intricate "Le Jardin parfumé" by Kaikhosru Sorabji." Deutschlandfunk

"One only can wonder what Simon Callaghan will turn his attention to next. Whatever it is, I’ll bet his performances will be as rapturous as those on the present CD. Highly recommended." Fanfare

"...quick and witty pianism, such graceful technique, an acute sensibility that carries a strong awareness for the core meaning behind the work." Record Geijutsu