Concert: Phillip Leslie

PROGRAMME

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

- Sonata K213 D Minor (L.108)

- Sonata K27 B Minor (L.449)

- Sonata K214 D Major (L.165)

- Sonata K24 A Major (L.495)

c. 15 minutes

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Drei Fantasiestucke Op.111

I. Sehr rasch, mit leidenschaftlichem Vortrag

II. Ziemlich langsam

III. Kräftig und sehr markiert

c. 11 minutes

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Preludes Book 1 (selection)

II. Voiles: Modéré

IX. La sérénade interrompue: Modérément animé

X. La cathédrale engloutie: Profondément calme

XI. La danse de Puck: Capricieux et léger

c. 15 minutes

Bela Bartok (1881-1945)

Piano Sonata SZ.80

I. Allegro Moderato

II. Sostenuto e pesante

III. Allegro Molto

c. 13 minutes

I have selected a broad programme for my recital at the Scottish Arts Club which I hope you’ll enjoy. Through the four Scarlatti works I’ve chosen I hope we can discover his vast and imaginative musical personality. Seldom performed are the Fantasy pieces by Schumann, written toward the end of his life which contains a beautiful middle movement. Similar to Scarlatti, the selection of Debussy Preludes I hope to be musically satisfying and balanced - the charm of La Danse de Puck is a particular favourite of mine. We conclude with Bartok’s mighty Sonata - despite being relatively ‘short’ for a typical sonata, this work presents considerable challenges for the performer, both technically and musically.

BIOGRAPHY

Recent first prizewinner of the Gothenburg International Piano Competition 2023, Phillip Leslie has been praised for his sense of ’culture and refinement’ by the Liszt Society and is fast becoming one of the finest pianists of his generation. Described as an ‘unassuming prodigy’ by Hastings Independent Press and a ‘tour-de-force’ by ESM, he has performed across the UK & Europe including at the Wigmore Hall, Salle Cortot, Teatro Marcello, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Bridgewater Hall & Castello Auditorio. He made his Southbank Centre debut in 2018 as a PLG Artist and has had works broadcast on the BBC. He has given numerous world premiere performances including works by Ian Stephens & Peter Copley. An advocate of British music, he makes his debut at the English Music Festival in the 2023/24 with a programme of Bowen, Ireland & Leighton. Furthermore, his CD of Rawsthorne & McCabe Piano Works will be released on Divine Art in 2024.

He was additionally awarded 1st Prize for ‘Best interpretation of a Swedish Composer’ in Gothenburg & was a recent prize winner of the Anton Rubinstein International Piano Competition (2023) and the Liszt International Piano Society Competition (2018). Furthermore, he has been a finalist of the Beethoven Society of Europe Piano Competition in 2021.

Educated at Trinity Laban, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Northern College of Music & L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, a scholar at each institution, he received the Weingarten Prize and Silver Medal Keyboard Award for his his studies in London. His teachers have included Philip Fowke, Alexander Ardakov, Margaret Fingerhut & Aaron Shorr. He was a recipient of the Sir James Caird Travelling Trust Scholarship for his studies and additionally received the Sir Philip Ledger Award.

Phillip considers outreach work of vital importance to his musical life and is grateful to have the opportunity to share music with a wider audience. He his thankful to be a Live Music Now, Keyboard Charitable Trust & Cross Trust Artist. Phillip gave his ‘Emerging Artist’ debut recital at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on behalf of Live Music Now in September 2023.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, United Kingdom