Described as a “pianist and musician of the highest calibre” and commended for the “electrifying energy” of his performance Rupert Egerton-Smith’s path to becoming a concert pianist defies convention.
He did not formally study the piano beyond school and largely stopped playing for ten years as he built a career as a strategy consultant.Rediscovering his early recordings, he entered and then won several competitions, including the Bradshaw & Buono International which led to a performance in New York’s Carnegie Hall.
“Heartlands” presents core piano repertoire of particular significance Egerton-Smith; bookended by Busoni’s monumental arrangement of Bach’s 2nd Partita for solo violin and Balakirev’s ‘Islamey’, also based around a violin theme.
Regarded as a masterpiece of transcription, Busoni’s arrangement has deep emotional scope, moving from moments of sublime intimacy to soaring majesty. Beethoven’s Sonata No.21 is a key work from his ‘heroic’ decade of composition taking the listener on an emotional journey from struggle to triumph and release.
One of Brahms’ most evocative intermezzi opens the second half before a selection of Rachmaninov’s lyrical and soulful preludes. Balakirev’s oriental fantasy, Islamey, was composed after a visit to the Caucasian mountains, their “majestic beauty” making a deep impression on the composer. It is renowned for its pianistic challenges.
Programme
J.S.Bach/Busoni – Chaconne in D minor BWV 1004
Beethoven – Sonata No.21 Op.53 “Waldstein” – Beethoven
Interval
Brahms – Intermezzo in A major Op.118 No.2
Rachmaninov – Prelude in C minor Op.23 No.7
– Prelude in E flat major Op.23 No.6
– Prelude in G sharp minor Op.32 No.12
– Prelude in G minor Op.23 No.5
– Prelude in D major Op.23 No.4
Balakirev – ‘Islamey’
Passionate about innovative and themed programming in his solo work, Rupert Egerton-Smith creates a unique musical experience for audiences through narrated performance, describing and contextualising pieces as well as performing them.
Advance tickets £20. Under-18 £5. On the door £23.
Licensed bar. Doors open 6:45pm. Concert starts at 7:30pm