Perth Concert Hall’s fourth season of Perth Piano Sundays launches this weekend with a UK exclusive concert programme from American pianist Jeremy Denk, renowned as one of the most exciting and creative artists of our time.
Jeremy will intersperse baroque and classical favourites with ragtime and jazz with a breathtaking range of music from Bach to Joplin. Honoured by Musical America as its 2014 Instrumentalist of the Year, Jeremy is known for his strikingly individual interpretations of everything from Byrd to Bach and Hayden to Hindemith.
James Waters, creative director for classical music for Horsecross Arts, observes: “We try to offer a programme that hasn’t been seen anywhere else in Scotland – Perth’s central position means we’re ideally situated for people from all over the country to visit us – and we’re thrilled to be opening the season with Jeremy.
“He is really quirky and different – the way he puts pieces together is utterly unlike a normal piano programme and this is what attracted us to him.”
There is a distinctly international flavour to the Perth Piano Sundays series of 3pm concerts which continues on selected weekends until May 14 next year.
Young Spanish pianist Javier Perianes makes his Perth debut on November 13 with a programme of music by Schubert, Debussy and Falla. German Lars Vogt performs Schubert and Bach’s Goldberg Variations on January 29.
The multiple prize-winning Italian pianist, Sophie Pacini performs one of Beethoven’s best loved sonatas Waldstein on her first Perth appearance. March sees the return of established stars Angela Hewitt and Steven Osborne, featuring the music of Bach, Scarlatti, Brahms and Beethoven.
The David Patrick Tentet performs stunning jazz reinterpretations of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Debussy’s Jeux in April and the series concludes in May with another Perth debut, this time a programme of Schubert, Beethoven and Schumann from Christian Zacharias, well known to audiences both at the Edinburgh International Festival and at the East Neuk Festival.
Classical music journalist Kate Molleson is the musical guide to the series, introducing each concert with insights into the works performed.
“We are delighted to present a roster of stellar performers – all of whom are special in their own way” James concludes. “Perth Piano Sundays aims to provide the perfect day out in one of Scotland’s richest cultural destinations. Come for a carvery lunch, then hear a wonderful concert in the acoustically perfect Perth Concert Hall.”
• Perth Concert Hall, September 18, 3pm