The final week of the 2011 Proms season began with a flamboyant and exhilarating concert given by the superb Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, who celebrate their 110th anniversary this year. They were joined by pianist Hélène Grimaud, playing Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto, the piece with which she made her Proms debut in 2001. Read my review for Bachtrack.com here.
I thought it would be worthwhile posting other reviews of Marc-André Hamelin’s stunning all-Liszt recital at the Proms on 24th August. The general consensus is that it was a superb evening: it certainly continues to resonate with me as I have discussed it with friends and colleagues, and listened to the concert again, via the BBC iPlayer.
I would also like to thank those people who have contacted me following the concert to comment on my review. Such positive feedback is always very welcome, and I am delighted that people enjoy my writing.
Hear the concert via the BBC iPlayer here
And here’s Hamelin playing the same Liszt Sonetto (123) that I performed in my students’ concert in July:
Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin celebrated the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt in a late-night Prom of coruscating virtuosity and extreme pianism. Read my review for Bachtrack here.
A heady mix of Fran
co-Hispanic music, from Debussy’s evocative ‘Images’ for orchestra to de Falla’s impressionistic ‘Nights in the Gardens of Spain’. Read my review for Bachtrack.com here
The Cross-Eyed Pianist 