About this Event
Dive into a melodic journey of waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, etudes and a lullaby by the great composer Frederic Chopin. The evening doesn’t end here. Let the beauty of nature, moods, and weather from genius Ludovico Einaudi captivate your senses. The award-winning pianist Varvara Tarasova will perform the programme in an intimate & relaxing atmosphere of one of the first purpose-built concert halls in Europe — the Holywell Music Room with hundreds of candles flickering! Step back in time as you explore the composer’s extraordinary world. Join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance and beauty!
Chopin loved to play chamber music in semi-darkness by candlelight — did you know about this? We decided to make our unique concert as authentic as possible — you will fully feel it with every cell.
Chopin, the author of numerous piano works, reinterpreted many genres: he poeticized and dramatized dances (mazurka and waltz). The music of Frederic Chopin is a combination of classical form with melodic richness and imagination.
Nocturne is a characteristic romantic music genre, a lyrical miniature distinguished by its original theme.
The word «nocturne» itself means «night». The sad poetry of twilight light, the ghostly radiance of the moon or a night thunderstorm raging in the darkness, shifting the boundaries of the real, were transformed into visions shrouded in a mysterious haze, inseparable from personal feelings, from the mood that gripped the composer.
✨Ludovico Einaudi presented the final part of the seven-volume musical project «Seven Days Walking» in the fall of 2019. He made delightfully beautiful sketches of nature, moods, and weather while walking through the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland.
Ludovico Einaudi is undoubtedly one of the most prominent representatives of neoclassicism. But success and recognition were challenging for him. From childhood, the weight of the achievements of his family members dominated the Italian. Ludovico’s mother played the piano. Maternal grandfather was a composer and conductor of Italian operas. Father is a famous book publisher. Paternal grandfather — Luigi Einaudi — the first president of post-war Italy.
Ludovico sees himself as a guide to the world of classical music for a broad audience. His album «Elements» (2015) was a commercially unimaginable success — the only classical recording in the last 20 years to hit the UK Albums Chart. Einaudi’s soundtracks brought wide recognition. Largely thanks to his life-affirming melodies, the French comedy «1 + 1» touched millions worldwide. The world-famous Italian composer and pianist is the author of more than 20 numbered albums, as well as the soundtracks for the films «Black Swan» by Darren Aronofsky, «I’m Still Here» and «Mommy» by Xavier Dolan.
Though distinct in their styles, the two composers share an unparalleled ability to touch the soul. Chopin, with his poetic and dramatic interpretations of dances like the mazurka and waltz, brings classical form with melodic richness. On the other hand, Einaudi, with his life-affirming melodies, such as those featured in the French comedy «1+1,» introduces a wide audience to the world of classical music.
PERFORMERS
Varvara Tarasova
«In a day when colossal technique is de rigueur for young pianists, it is Tarasova’s imagination that will set her apart from the pack» — Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2017
Winner of over 15 International Piano Competitions, Varvara Tarasova released her first CD of Brahms and Schumann with Champs Hill Records in 2017. She has received glowing reviews and prestigious awards including the Soirée D'Or award and Hopkinson Gold Medal.
Tarasova graduated with honours from both the Royal College of Music (receiving a full scholarship, supported by Sir Roger and Lady Stephanie Carr) and Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. After earning two Master of Performance degrees and an Artist Diploma as a concert pianist, Tarasova is currently studying voice at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Tarasova has performed across Europe, the USA, Brazil and Russia, and given concerto performances with many orchestras, led by conductors including Vasily Petrenko, Misha Rakhlevsky, Konstantin Orbelian, and John Gibbons.
Festival appearances include the Torre de Canyamel Piano Festival in Mallorca, and the Rheingay Music Festival in Germany.
Tarasova has a longstanding partnership with the Yamaha Artistic Centre and is currently taking part in a DEBUT's Horizon project.
Tarasova has ongoing collaborations and concert engagements with opera singers as well as instrumentalists performing across the UK and abroad.
In 2021 she opened her music school of piano and singing in London.
Duration: 60 minutes (Doors open 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time & late entry is not permitted)
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Holywell Music Room, Holywell Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
GBP 18.00 to GBP 35.00
