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This event includes an optional Grandmaster's Palace tour which starts at 1830 hrs.Programme
Peter Ilyc Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)
The Seasons op 37 for Piano Trio
January: At the Fireside in A major
February: Carnival in D major
March: Song of the Lark in G minor
April: Snowdrop in B-flat major
May: Starlit Nights in G major
June: Barcarolle in G minor
July: Song of the Reaper in E-flat major
August: Harvest in B minor
September: The Hunt in G major
October: Autumn Song in D minor
November: Troika in E major
December: Christmas in A-flat major
INTERVAL
Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992)
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires for Piano trio
Verano Porteño (Buenos Aires Summer)
Invierno Porteño (Buenos Aires Winter)
Primavera Porteña (Buenos Aires Spring)
Otoño Porteño (Buenos Aires Autumn)
Programme Note
The concert program centres around the theme of seasons, featuring two captivating compositions arranged for piano trio: Tchaikovsky's The Seasons and Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons, originally composed for solo piano, takes listeners on a lyrical journey through the twelve months of the year. Each of the twelve character pieces captures the essence of its respective month, painting vivid portraits of nature’s changing landscapes and human experiences. With its romantic melodies and evocative imagery, Tchaikovsky’s work beautifully conveys the transitions and moods of the seasons, immersing audiences in a timeless reflection on the natural world.
In contrast, Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, composed in the 1960s, reimagines Vivaldi’s Baroque classic through the lens of Argentine tango. Blending traditional tango with contemporary elements, Piazzolla’s work captures the vibrant energy and sensuality of Buenos Aires, evoking the dynamic pulse of urban life. The tango rhythms bring an exciting intensity to the seasonal theme, portraying the ever-shifting pace and spirit of the city.
While Tchaikovsky’s work evokes nature’s gradual cycles, Piazzolla’s compositions embody the restless movement of city life. Despite their differences, both works explore the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. The piano trio format enhances these iconic works, deepening the textures and heightening the emotional impact of both composers’ visions.
Artist profile
Christine Zerafa – pianist
Described by critics as “a musician with a warm and very communicative personality” (The Times of Malta) and praised for her “sensual, silky tone and virtuoso command” (The Evening Standard, London), Pianist Christine Zerafa has performed in notable international venues and festivals including the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Oxford Lieder Festival and Cheltenham Festival, amongst others. Most recently she was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), an honour awarded in recognition of her significant contribution to the music profession.
Christine has been recipient of various awards including the Bice Mizzi National Competition, the Royal Northern College of Music Clifton Helliwell Prize, the RAM Scott Huxley prize for piano accompaniment, the Schumann Lieder pianist prize, as well as the Eric Brough Prize and the John B McEwen Prize during her studies. Christine was twice selected as a Park Lane Group Artist and she was also an award winner on the Tunnell Trust Artist Chamber Music Scheme.
Christine gained a Master of Music in solo performance from the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied with Norma Fisher and Paul Janes, after which she moved on to study with Andrea Lucchesini at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Florence. She then read for a Master of Music degree in piano accompaniment, which she completed with distinction at the Royal Academy of Music under the tuition of Michael Dussek, Malcolm Martineau and Ian Brown. She has recently completed her PhD at the Royal Academy of Music, which focused on the role of the pianist in the art of song and duo chamber music. Christine is currently based in Malta, where she enjoys a busy schedule as a concert pianist, researcher and educator.
Jacob Portelli – cellist
Jacob hails from the island of Gozo. Drawn to the various string instruments at a tender age, Jacob's natural musical ability and insatiable curiosity propelled him into a world of music that would shape his life's trajectory. Formal training provided the technical foundation earning diplomas in Harp, Violin, and Viola performance. He also holds a Bachelors in Sacred Theology from the University of Malta and PGCE in Educational Mentoring of teachers. Since part of his studies involved the classic languages, Jacob is also skilled in the Latin language.
For the past 10 years Jacob specialised in baroque cello playing, exploring the beauty of historically informed performances on period instruments. His role as principal cellist of the Valletta Baroque Ensemble, the resident ensemble of the Valletta Baroque Festival, further solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the baroque music scene. With the ensemble, Jacob performed major works including Bach’s St John’s Passion, Monteverdi’s Vespers della Beata Vergine, Handel’s Oratorios Messiah and Belshazzar, working alongside distinguished musicians in the field such as Catherine Martin, Albert Brugen, Mahan Esfahani, Steven Devine and Christian Curnyn. Jacob is also a founding member of the Cordia String quartet, with whom he has performed locally and abroad.
Jacob's musical odyssey culminated in the recording of his acclaimed CD, "Palestrings," a mesmerising collection of meditative music that seamlessly blends choral Renaissance compositions with the ethereal beauty of strings.
Sarah Spiteri - violinist
Sarah started her musical studies in Malta, where she obtained the Licentiate from Trinity College, London. In 1990, having won the Bice Mizzi Vassallo Music Competition, she furthered her studies in Lyon, France and attended master classes at the Accademia Chigiana, Siena, with violinist Boris Belkin and in the UK with violist Martin Outram.
Sarah has worked with Malta's foremost composers and has a number of CD's to her credit, featuring works by Charles Camilleri, Nicolo Isuard and P. P. Bugeja. She has also recorded the CD’s War Cantata, a work by John Cremona and Charles Camilleri, Mal-Kant tal-Bahar, a song cycle by Joe Friggieri and Charles Camilleri.
Sarah is highly active in chamber music ensembles both as violinist and violist. She founded ProMuzika Ensemble with whom she toured in Germany, and performed in Helsinki, Finland, the Theatre of the Estates in Prague, Tunisia, UK and Italy.
Currently, Sarah is the director of the Valletta Baroque Ensemble (ViBE), specifically focused on the historically informed performances of baroque music, including a rich repertoire of Maltese baroque works. ViBE is the resident ensemble of the prestigious Valletta International Baroque Festival.
Sarah holds an MSc in Profound and Complex Learning Difficulties from the University of Manchester, a BA (Hons) in Theatre studies, Music subsidiary, from the University of Malta and a PGCert in Sounds of Intent at the University of Roehampton, based on a framework that investigates and promotes the musical development of children and young people with learning difficulties.
Sponsored by BNF Bank
The Three Palaces Festival is organised by Festivals Malta supported by the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government (Kultura).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Grandmaster's Palace, Valletta, Malta
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