with Vassily Primakov & Natalia Lavrova (2 pianos)

7 November 2015

Odeion

19:30

“… Lavrova and Primakov take turns playing the piano I and piano II parts, but technically and tonally they are so well-matched, you wouldn’t know who was on first and who was on second unless you actually look at them. Like the talented and imaginative chefs they are, they work wonders with the ingredients they’ve been given… Strongly recommended then for a dazzling display of two-piano works by two phenomenal pianists.”~ Jerry Dubins, Fanfare

The Lavrova Primakov Piano Duo was established in August 2010. Since then, they performed extensively throughout the USA and garnered accolades from audiences and critics, stating that “Lavrova and Primakov play with brilliance and depth. They have excellent unity and do not hesitate to go with full power.” - Music Web International.

In November 2011, Natalia and Vassily established their own record label, LP Classics, an initiative committed to unearthing lost historical gems, presenting never-before released recordings, and enriching the discographies of emerging stars of new generation.

In recent years, Vassily has been hailed as a pianist of world class importance. Gramophone wrote that "Primakov's empathy with Chopin's spirit could hardly be more complete," and the American Record Guide stated: "Since Gilels, how many pianists have the right touch? In Chopin, no one currently playing sounds as good as this! This is a great Chopin pianist." Music Web-International called Primakov's Chopin concertos CD "one of the great Chopin recordings of recent times”.  In 1999, as a teen-aged prize winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Primakov was praised by Donald Rosenberg of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "How many pianists can make a line sing as the Moscow native did on this occasion? Every poignant phrase took ethereal wing. Elsewhere the music soared with all of the turbulence and poetic vibrancy it possesses. We will be hearing much from this remarkable musician."

Natalia Lavrova is a highly regarded performer of multi-faceted artistry, whose sincerity of interpretation and beguiling charm upon the stage has won the hearts of audiences around the world. She enjoys a diverse career upon the international platform, and additionally holds substantial positions in the worlds of arts administration and pedagogy.

Solo and orchestral performances have taken Natalia throughout Russia to Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa and the United States, to include notable New York venues such as Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall.  She has captured top prizes at the New Orleans, Isabel Scionti, Frinna Auerbach, Heidi Hermanns, Music Academy of the West, Silver Lake, and Senigallia International Piano Competitions. Upon her debut at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Natalia was the youngest performer of 1996 admitted to the quarterfinal round.  In her repertoire, she has over 30 concertos and extensive solo recital programs, as well as substantial chamber music repertoire, including an ongoing partnership with her duo partner, Vassily Primakov. 

Natalia is the founder and president of a very successful private school – the Music School of New York City.

Programme

Alexander Scriabin: Fantasy for Two Pianos, Opus Posthumous

Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn, Opus 56b

Franz Liszt: Concerto pathétique for Two Pianos (S.258/R.356)

Witold Lutoslawski: Variations on a Theme by Paganini

Anton Arensky: Suite No. 3 Op. 33 “Variations” (1894)    

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17

Admission

R130 (adults), R90 (pensioners), R70 (UFS staff), R50 (students and learners), R50 (group bookings of 10+)

Tickets available at Computicket.

Enquiries

Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 401 2504)