‘Trifonov’s virtuosity is different. It’s elegant and purposeful…’ The Guardian

After his triumph in the final of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 2011, Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has captivated the music world with his unique blend of powerful furor and dexterity. He caused storms everywhere he performed: ‘he has tenderness and also the demonic element,’ thus exclaimed Martha Argerich, ‘I never heard anything like that’. His début at Verbier Festival was described in Süddeutsche Zeitung as ‘a real culture shock’. His Wigmore Hall début made as ‘an event of possible historical significance.’ (The Times)

Obsessed with the colourful sound world of Scriabin in his early years, Trifonov has won multiple awards and seen his career in meteoric rise. Signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, he has since released recordings that also caused sensation among music lovers. ‘A staggering display of unbounded virtuosity and vision’ as The Sunday Times notes his Rachmaninov recording.

Trifonov’s Hong Kong début will see him perform his dearly-loved Chopin and two variations on the music of the poet of the piano: one by the last romantic Rachmaninov and, lesser-known but equally tempting, by Catalan composer Mompou. Get on with the ‘Trifonov hype’!

Mompou

Variations on a Theme of Chopin

Rachmaninov

Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22

Chopin

Two Mazurkas

Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35

Massenet – C’est Thaïs, l’idole fragile (from Thaïs)
Fauré – Mandoline
Saint-Saëns – Soirée en mer
Delibes – Les filles de Cadix
Brahms – Ständchen
Die Mainacht
Mondnacht
Meine Liebe ist grün
Wiegenlied
Vergebliches Ständchen
Arlen – Somewhere Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz)
Rodgers & Hammerstein – I Whistle a Happy Tune (from The King and I)
Bernstein – Somewhere (from West Side Story)
I Feel Pretty (from West Side Story)
Tosti – Aprile
Boito – L’altra notte in fondo al mare (from Mefistofele)
Puccini – O mio babbino caro (from Gianni Schicchi)
Leoncavallo – Mattinata

Established in 1984 by the principal concertmaster and string section leaders of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Philharmonia Quartett Berlin has been known as ‘four of the best’ since they gave a début in London’s Wigmore Hall that won critical acclaims. Lord Yehudi Menuhin commented, ‘I’d like to hear music always played as beautifully as you play.’The ensemble plays regularly in the Berlin’s landmark Philharmonie, having played challenging concerts like complete Beethoven and Shostakovich cycles. They are also regular guests at festivals including the prestigious Salzburg Festival, and their recordings are also frequent prize winners: a German Schallplattenpreis for their Reger recording, two Echo Klassik prizes with Beethoven’s late string quartets, and an Argentine Critic Prize in Bueno Aires.

In October 2005, Polish pianist Rafał Blechacz won all prizes of the prestigious 15th Frédéric Chopin International Piano Competition, triumphantly claiming this highest award not only of Poland but of the world, yet charmingly demonstrating his poetic approach to his countryman’s music.Now firmly established as a world renowned pianist, Blechacz performed in many acclaimed venues to great acclaims in the last 10 years. ‘He played with sobering directness and fascinating attention to inner details,’ exclaimed critics from The New York Times. His recitals have brought him to London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s Carnegie, Cambridge, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Many of his recordings attained top chart awards, including an Echo Klassik and Diapson d’Or on his Chopin preludes, Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik on Chopin concerto and an Echo Klassik in a disc featuring Debussy and Szymanowski.

‘A sound of utter resplendency, a brilliantly shining tone right across the instrument…simply, relentlessly magnificent.’ The Sunday Times

Few violinists attain a legendary status as Kyung Wha Chung does. Intensely passionate with a fine musicality, her recitals are sensational events, particularly so in her triumphant return to stage after a hiatus in performing as a result of hand injury.

Since her return to stage, Chung has graced concert halls with critical acclaims with events often sold out with anticipation. She has signed an exclusive international record contract with Warner Classics, which she has previously recorded with award-winning albums. She is also a respected educator, having taught in The Juilliard School and at her home country, Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea as the chair professor of music.

Chung’s repertoire is known for its extensiveness and breadth, with a noted vibrancy and expressiveness. In her long-awaited Hong Kong recital, Chung will perform the young, passionate first sonata by Fauré, which is his claim to fame, the first sonata by Prokofiev, a soul-wrenching work that was written in 10 years’ time, and the final sonata written by the aged yet exuberant master Brahms.

Fauré

Violin Sonata No. 1 in A, Op. 13

Prokofiev

Violin Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 80

Brahms

Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108

Schubert String Quintet in C, Op. 163, D. 956Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36