One of the greatest harpsichordists in history, Domenico Scarlatti is best known for his short, single-movement sonatas. Their apparent simplicity masks a highly original approach to the keyboard; Fanny Burney referred to "the fanciful flights of that wild but masterly composer."
Written during the Napoleonic Wars, Beethoven's E-flat-Major Sonata commemorates the departure from Vienna (and subsequent return) of his beloved benefactor Archduke Rudolf. The three movements are titled "Das Lebewohl" ("The Farewell"), "Abwesenheit" ("The Absence"), and "Das Wiedersehen" ("The Reunion").
Prokofiev cultivated a sharply etched, ironic, and occasionally acerbic style that propelled him to the forefront of the modernist movement before and during World War I. The multi-movement format of the D-Minor Sonata highlights the vivid contrasts that characterize his musical language.
Much like his popular piano concertos, Rachmaninoff's short pieces for solo piano display his trademark blend of Russian-flavored lyricism and dazzling virtuosity. The six selections on this evening's program span the quarter century before the composer-pianist emigrated from his native land and took up residence in the West.
Liszt's transcendental virtuosity is on display in this dazzling showpiece, based on the medieval plainsong "Dies irae" ("Day of Wrath") from the Requiem Mass. Totentanz (Dance of Death) was originally written for piano and orchestra. In arranging it for solo piano, Liszt demonstrated his genius for creating symphonic colors and sonorities on the keyboard.
Winner of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, Dmitry Masleev took the
international spotlight with wholehearted support from the audience, jury, and media. The
success of his first touring season firmly established him as a pianist of "virtuoso
brilliance" (Financial Times) and inspired an ever-growing worldwide demand for
his artistry.
Mr. Masleev's Munich debut at the Philharmonie led to two additional engagements,
including a performance of Prokofiev's piano sonatas streamed live by medici.tv and
Beethoven's First Piano Concerto with the Munich Symphony Orchestra. His appearance at the
Klavier-Festival Ruhr was followed by recital invitations from the Rheingau Musik Festival,
Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Kissinger Sommer. This season, Mr. Masleev makes his
Berlin debut with Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and Robert Trevino.
In France, Mr. Masleev's appearances at the Philharmonie de Paris, Festival International
de Piano de La Roque-d'Anthéron, and Festival Pianoscope Beauvais-as well as with Orchestre
National du Capitole de Toulouse-paved the way for a solo recital at the Fondation Louis
Vuitton and a tour of Asia with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under Mikko
Franck.
Mr. Masleev's orchestral collaborations also include a German tour with the National
Philharmonic of Russia and Vladimir Spivakov, performances with the Bamberg Symphony and
Christoph Eschenbach, and an artistic residence with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony
Orchestra. Later this season, he will give duo recitals with Boris Berezovsky in Moscow
that feature the music of Bartók and Liszt.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian
border), Mr. Masleev was educated at the Moscow Conservatory (in the class of Professor
Mikhail Petukhov) and at the International Piano Academy Lake Como. For more information,
visit facebook.com/dmitrymasleev.
Proud Season Sponsor