Piano Day: The Universe of Neoclassics by Varvara Tarasova

Piano Day is celebrated annually on the 88th day of the year, commemorating the 88 keys of a standard piano. The event serves as a global celebration of the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most important, the listener.

This year, Red Events proudly presents a festival dedicated to the Piano Day, offering guests the opportunity to experience either a concert of their choice or a Full Day festival experience:

The festival will kick off with a special appearance from a Sony Classical pianist and composer Gabriele Bagnati. Immerse yourself into the enchanting melodies of Chopin, Brahms, and Medtner as Gabriele guides you through a musical journey, exploring the depths of emotion and the evolution of musical expression from the Romanticism to the Post-Romanticism eras.

Come and enjoy a musical soirée filled with an enchanting fusion of the 3 big B’s of classics – Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, performed by the talented duo Yeva Volkava (violin) and Roxanna Shini-Mehrabzadeh (piano).

The programme kicks off with Bach's groundbreaking sonata, originally composed for baroque violin and harpsichord. Beethoven's 1st sonata follows, marking the transition from classicism to romanticism. The journey reaches its pinnacle with Brahms' last sonata, a symphonic masterpiece that foreshadows the 20th century, concluding with a contemporary composition that resonates with the pulse of modern times.

Concert III: The Universe of Neoclassics by Varvara Tarasova

To end the evening, Varvara will bring to life piano renditions of Neoclassical maestros like Ludovico Einaudi & Hans Zimmer, Max Richter & Olafur Arnalds, along with the mystical Enigma, Celtic sounds of Enya and many more. There is timeless music that can be appreciated by all generations. This is the spirit of “The Universe of Neoclassics” concert by Varvara Tarasova.

PERFORMERS

Varavara Tarasova, the winner of over 15 International Piano Competitions, has received countless glowing reviews and prestigious awards, including the Soirée D'Or award and Hopkinson Gold Medal. She 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. Tarasova has performed across Europe, the USA, Brazil and Russia, and given concerto performances with many orchestras, led by such conductors as Vasily Petrenko, Misha Rakhlevsky, Konstantin Orbelian, and John Gibbons.

"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.

PROGRAMME

Enigma - Back to the Rivers of Belief
Enigma - Sadeness
Enigma - Principles of Lust
Enigma - Return to Innocence
Era - Ameno
M.Nyman - Songs for Tony
Enya - Only Time
Enya - May it Be
L.Einaudi - Petricor
L.Einaudi - Expiriense
L.Einaudi - Una Mattina
L.Einaudi - Primavera
Hans Zimmer - Interstellar
Hans Zimmer - Mermaids

*Please note that the program is subject to change

Event Venue

Jacqueline du Pré Music Building (St Hilda's College), Cowley Place, Oxford, United Kingdom