About this Event
Composers over the centuries have been inspired by nature and its changing seasons. In this recital the pianist Alexander Karpeev explores the personal responses of 10 composers from six European countries to the magical themes of winter and the celebration of Christmas, closing with the concert arrangement by Mikhail Pletnev of Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet, The Nutcracker.
The programme spans more than two centuries of piano music, from the Classical grace of Dusíková to the 20th-century imagination of Prokofiev. Along the way, it brings together lyrical miniatures and rarely heard transcriptions by Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Brahms, Hahn, Debussy, Bartók and Lyapunov—each offering a distinct glimpse of winter’s atmosphere and the quiet poetry of the Christmas season.
About the Artist
Based in Paris, pianist appears regularly in recital, chamber music, and as concerto soloist. He has performed across Europe, North America, and Algiers, in prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Barbican, and King’s Place, with broadcasts on BBC Radio and television.
Karpeev teaches at the Conservatoire Rachmaninoff in Paris and the Conservatoire Casals in Montgeron. Renowned for his sensitivity and insight, his programmes explore Romantic and 20th-century piano music, with a focus on lesser-known works by pianist-composers.
www.akarpeyev.com
Programme
Katerina DUSÍKOVÁ (1769–1833) — Adeste Fideles with five variations, from Sonata Op. 2
Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1849) — Wintertime, from Album for the Young Op. 68
Fanny MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL (1805–1847) — December, from Das Jahr H.385
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) / arr. Gustav ZIEGLER — Trio (Psalm 110), from Oratorio de Noël Op. 12
Franz LISZT (1811–1886) — Scherzoso (Lighting the Candles on the Christmas Tree), from The Christmas Tree S.186
Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) / arr. Ferruccio BUSONI — A Rose Breaks into Bloom, from Eleven Choral Preludes Op. 122
Reynaldo HAHN (1874–1947) — Lullaby for Christmas Eve, from Seven Lullabies
Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918) — The Snow is Dancing, from Children’s Corner
Béla BARTÓK (1881–1945) — Romanian Christmas Carols Sz. 57
Sergey LYAPUNOV (1859–1924) — Christmas Song, from Christmas Festivities Op. 41
Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891–1953) — The Winter Fairy, from Cinderella Op. 87
Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) / arr. Mikhail PLETNEV — The Nutcracker Suite Op. 71
This concert runs for approximately 75 minutes, with no interval
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St George's Church, Campden Hill, Aubrey Walk, London, United Kingdom
GBP 10.00 to GBP 45.00
