An evening of piano music in Bremen with Mark Taratushkin 24 February 2024

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux" (The Farewell)

1. farewell (Adagio - Allegro)

2. absence (Andante espressivo)

3. reunion (Vivacissimamente)

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) - Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Erlkönig, S.558/4

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Suite "From Holberg's Time", Op. 40

1st Aria

2nd Sarabande

3rd Gavotte

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Intermission

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Sonata in A major, D. 664, Op. 120

1st Allegro moderato

2nd Andante

3rd Allegro

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Variations on a theme by Paganini, Op. 35

Mark Taratushkin's concert on February 24, 2024 presents works that not only showcase the technical and emotional range of the piano, but also delve deep into the stories and contexts surrounding this music.

The program opens with Beethoven's "Les Adieux" Sonata, a work that reflects the turbulence and emotional fluctuations of the Napoleonic era. It is a musical diary in which Beethoven records the farewell, longing and joyful reunion with his friend and patron Archduke Rudolf in three movements.

Schubert's "Erlkönig", masterfully arranged by Liszt, is more than just a technical masterpiece. It is a dramatic narrative that transports the audience into the dark forests of German Romanticism, where the fate of a child is decided in a fast-paced, almost breathless musical ride.

In Edvard Grieg's "Suite from Holberg's Time", Mark Taratushkin takes the audience on a musical journey through time, capturing the elegance and spirit of the Baroque era. This piece, a tribute to the Baroque style in honor of the Danish-Norwegian writer Ludvig Holberg, showcases Grieg's talent for blending historical musical styles with his own romantic expression. The Aria, with its lyrical and soulful melody, has the effect of a quiet, thoughtful conversation. The Sarabande, a traditional baroque dance, captivates with its dignity and depth, while the Gavotte creates a cheerful and almost dance-like mood with its liveliness and rhythmic precision.

With Chopin's Ballade No. 1, we enter a world full of poetic narratives and musical innovations. This piece is like an epic poem, combining a wealth of emotions and images in a composition that is as vulnerable as it is powerful.

In the second half of the program, Schubert's Sonata in A major, D. 664, opens a window into a world of calm and peace. This work, often described as a pinnacle of lyrical beauty, radiates a rare clarity and purity.

Brahms' Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2, is an intimate piece that undertakes a deep emotional journey in its quiet reflection. It is as if Brahms is having an intimate dialog with the listener, full of warmth and introspective insights.

The program ends with Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Paganini, a true celebration of pianistic virtuosity. These variations are not only a demonstration of technical brilliance, but also a playground for Brahms' compositional creativity, in which he transforms the theme into numerous, fascinating musical landscapes.

Mark Taratushkin opens the concert program with a brief overview of the composers' style and work. This allows the audience to familiarize themselves directly with the peculiarities of the artistic interpretation and gain their own impression of the music.