"The World of Boris Pasternak" with Pianist Hannah-Elizabeth Teoh

Thu Mar 19 2026 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm UTC+00:00

International Anthony Burgess Foundation | Manchester

The Kettner Society
Publisher/HostThe Kettner Society
"The World of Boris Pasternak" with Pianist Hannah-Elizabeth Teoh
Advertisement
A unique opportunity to hear the only surviving compositions of Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor
Zhivago, alongside the music of his world.
About this Event

Celebrated as the Nobel Prize awarded author of Doctor Zhivago and one of Russia's most beloved poets, Boris Pasternak's first love was music. Raised amongst the Russian elite, his mother was a renowned concert pianist, and Scriabin and Rachmaninoff were regular household visitors. As a teenager Pasternak was an accomplished pianist with aspirations to become a composer; this concert provides a rare opportunity to hear his only surviving works.

In 1945 Boris Pasternak wrote an essay on Chopin who, he contended, “is a realist in just the same sense as Lev Tolstoy.” “Their (Chopin and Bach's) music abounds in details and gives the impression of being a chronicle of their lives.” A great realist, autobiographical, is what Pasternak himself aspired to be in his novel Doctor Zhivago, on which he would begin intensive work a year later.

Pasternak's parents were both friends and followers of Leo Tolstoy, and tonight Hannah performs a Waltz attributed to Tolstoy himself.


Programme:


Boris Pasternak: Prelude No. 2 in G-sharp minor

Alexander Scriabin: Mazurka Op. 3 No. 6 in C-sharp minor

Alexander Scriabin: Prelude Op.11 No.15 in D-flat major

Boris Pasternak: Prelude No. 1 in E-flat minor

Alexander Scriabin: Etude Op. 42 No. 5 in C-sharp minor

Boris Pasternak: Piano Sonata in B minor

Frédéric Chopin: Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49


Interval


Sergei Rachmaninoff: Morceaux de salon, Op. 10:

- Waltz in A major

- Romance in F minor

Leo Tolstoy: Waltz in F major

Alexander Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 23 "États d’âme"

Maurice Jarre: Lara's Theme from Doctor Zhivago


New Zealand born Hannah-Elizabeth Teoh studied at the Royal Academy of Music, the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and the Royal College of Music, and has won numerous awards including the Harold Samuel Prize, the Florence Murray Award, the Lesley Holland Scholarship and the Ivy Corkill Recital Award. As a concerto soloist she has performed around the world, including a premiere recording of Ross Harris’ Concertina for Piano and Orchestra with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and most recently making her Italian debut with the Master Orchestra in Brescia playing Saint-Saëns’ second piano concerto. Supporting her musical life, Hannah draws inspiration from literature and art and has a Masters in Philosophy from Birkbeck University.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 10.00 to GBP 20.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Manchester

Cornflower Ball 2026
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:30 pm Cornflower Ball 2026

Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground

Wu Tang Clan at Co-op Live
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:30 pm Wu Tang Clan at Co-op Live

Co-op Live

Changemakers: Inclusive Networking
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:30 pm Changemakers: Inclusive Networking

Brabners

Understanding Knee Pain and treatment options
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:30 pm Understanding Knee Pain and treatment options

Spire Manchester Hospital

RABBITBOX - Wayne Holloway-Smith in conversation with Andrew McMillan
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:30 pm RABBITBOX - Wayne Holloway-Smith in conversation with Andrew McMillan

Blackwell's Bookshop

Lord\u2019s Prayer Evening with Archbishop of York
Thu, 19 Mar at 06:45 pm Lord’s Prayer Evening with Archbishop of York

Manchester Cathedral

Mr Wilson's Second Liners: Blowout 2026
Thu, 19 Mar at 07:30 pm Mr Wilson's Second Liners: Blowout 2026

2, Tony Wilson Place, M15 4FN Manchester, United Kingdom

Pentire
Thu, 19 Mar at 07:30 pm Pentire

Manchester Academy 3

Hot Take: Bug Teeth + More TBA
Thu, 19 Mar at 07:30 pm Hot Take: Bug Teeth + More TBA

YES Basement

Crumpsall Folk Club feat. Andrew Metheven
Thu, 19 Mar at 07:45 pm Crumpsall Folk Club feat. Andrew Metheven

The Cleveland, 77 Crumpsall Lane, Manchester

The Hurricane Blues Band Live! at Matt & Phred's, Manchester
Thu, 19 Mar at 08:00 pm The Hurricane Blues Band Live! at Matt & Phred's, Manchester

Matt & Phred's Jazz Bar Northen Quater

The Gee Spot Comedy Cabaret
Thu, 19 Mar at 08:30 pm The Gee Spot Comedy Cabaret

Creatures Comedy Club

Manchester is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Manchester Events