SUMMER & AUTUMN 2009

The Chopin Society UK is pleased to present its second International Piano Festival at St Gabriel's, Warwick Square, a series of 5 concerts featuring 5 established and 2 new piano stars.

Booking is not necessary for these concerts. Tickets will be on sale on the door for all these concerts. However if you have any queries, or would like a copy of the 2009 Festival leaflet, contact the Chopin Society Office, which is open until May 28th, and then again from June 10th.

All our events are followed by a delicious High Tea Reception with wine/tea/coffee/juice. The artist attends this reception and it's a great opportunity to meet them and also to talk to other members of the audience and make new friends.

For all but the Opening Concert, tickets for the concert and reception are sold separately. Prices are given for each concert. If you would like to stay for the reception, ask for a tea ticket when you buy your ticket for the concert.

Rinko Kobayashi recital
May 24th at 3.30pm

Miss Kobayashi will play:

• Casella - Deux contrastes Op 31
• Michalowski - Paraphrase sur la valse des-dur Op 64 No 1 de Chopin
• Franck - Fantaisie sur deux Airs Polonais Op 15
• Chopin - Polonaise in A Op 40 No1
• Chopin - Prelude in C# minor Op 45
• Chopin - Fantaisie-Impromptu in C# minor Op 66
• Chopin - 3 Mazurkas - in C# minor Op 63 No 3; in F Op 68 No 3; in F minor Op 68 No 4
• Chopin - Valse in Gb Op 70 No 1
• Chopin - Nocturne in B Op 62 No 1
• Chopin - Scherzo in C# minor Op 39

Rinko Kobayashi lives in Warsaw. She has given recitals and concerto performances in virtually every country in Europe. From 1987 until its dissolution she was the soloist for the Warsaw Radio and Television Chamber Orchestra. Regular tours throughout Poland and frequent visits to her native Japan are included in her busy schedule of over 50 concerts a year.

In 1988 she was awarded the L'Ordre du Merite Culturel by the Polish Minister of Culture for her popularisation of Chopin's music through the world, and in 1992 received the Knight's Cross from the President of the Republic of Poland.

Tickets:
Members and Youth Members of the Chopin Society: FREE.
Friends of the Chopin Society: £10/£8 (Seniors 60 and over)
Non-Members: £12/£10 (Seniors)
Full-time Students with ID: £6
Youth Members: £3
Tea tickets: £6 (students: £4; Youth Members: £3).

For advanced bookings, contact the Chopin Society's Secretary. Tickets also sold on the door.

Details of venue

CHOPIN SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL OPENING CONCERT

Gülsin Onay recital
June 28th at 3.30pm

Programme:

• Haydn - Andante con variazione in F minor, HobXVII No6
• Mozart - Sonata in A, KV331
• Chopin - Variations brillantes sur le Rondeau favori de 'Ludovic' de Hérold et Halévy, Op12
• Chopin - Sonata in B minor, Op58

Gulsin Onay is one of Turkey's leading virtuoso pianists. She has played in over 55 countries across all continents. In 2007 she was honoured with the award of a State Medal by the Republic of Poland in acknowledgement of her exceptional Chopin interpretations.

"An artist with a sensitive decisiveness and intelligent brilliance, who is passionate and who has the ability to entrut everything that is tender as if smilingly to her intelligent fingers ... a supreme pianist, full of fantasy" Peter Cosse

Tickets:
Members of the Chopin Society: FREE
Friends of the Chopin Society: £10/£8 (OAP)
Reception ticket and a glass of Champagne and High Tea finger buffet: for Members & Friends, £8, Youth Members £4
Non-Members tickets including Reception as above: £17, £15 (OAP), full-time students with ID: £12

Details of venue

Mikhail Kazakevich & Elena Zozina (2 pianos) recital
July 26th at 3.30pm

Programme:

• Brahms - Sonata for 2 pianos in F minor, Op34b
• Chopin - Rondo for 2 pianos in C, Op73
• Tchaikovsky (arr. Economou) - The Nutcracker Suite (with additional scene from the ballet arranged by M Kazakevich)

The renowned Russian pianist Mikhail Kazakevich studied with Soviet teacher Isaak Katz (a pupil of the legendary Alexander Goldenweiser). He came to the West in 1992 and has performed as soloist and with major orchestras in prestigious venues and at festivals all over Europe, Russia, SE Asia and the Middle East.

" 'One of Russia's best-kept secrets' is how they like to promote him and for once it's true." The Times

Elena Zozina made her debut at the age of 11 with the Mendelssohn 1st Piano Concerto in the concert hall of the Kremlin. She studied in Russia and since arriving in the UK has played solo and with British orchestras all over this country and also abroad. She recently played in Moscow before President Putin of Russia on National Independence Day.

" ... immense technique ....Rare clarity and purity of tone" Evening Post, Bristol

Tickets:
Members of the Chopin Society: FREE
Friends of the Chopin Society: £10/£8 (OAP)
Reception tickets incl. glass of wine, or tea/coffee/juice and High Tea finger buffet for Members & Friends of the Chopin Society: £6, Youth Members: £3
Non-Members concert tickets: £12/£10 (OAP), full-time students with ID: £6
Non-Members Reception tickets as above £6, students: £4

Details of venue

Bernard d'Ascoli recital
August 16th at 3.30pm

Programme:

• Schumann - Arabesque, op18
• Schumann - 10 first pieces from Bunte Blätter Op99
• Liszt - Les jeux d'eau à la villa d'Este
• Liszt - La leggierezza
• Mendelssohn - Variations sérieuses in D minor, Op54
• Chopin - Ballade No1 in G minor, Op23
• Chopin - Ballade No 4 in F minor, Op52
• Chopin - Berceuse in D, Op57
• Chopin - Polonaise in A flat, Op53

Frenchman Bernard d'Ascoli's first came to international public attention when in 1981, when following his Third Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, he made his London debut and signed a recording contract with EMI. He has an especial affinity with the works of Chopin.

"Bernard d'Ascoli can be qualified as exceptional in more than one way: because of his exceptional musical sensitivity and also because of his exceptional humane sensitivity" La Marseillaise

Tickets:
Members of the Chopin Society: FREE
Friends of the Chopin Society: £10/£8 (OAP)
Reception tickets incl. glass of wine, or tea/coffee/juice and High Tea finger buffet for Members & Friends of the Chopin Society: £6, Youth Members: £3
Non-Members concert tickets: £12/£10 (OAP), full-time students with ID: £6
Non-Members Reception tickets as above £6, students: £4

Details of venue

Sunwook Kim recital
September 20th at 3.30pm

Programme:

• Haydn - Piano Sonata in C, HobXLVIII
• Prokofiev - Piano Sonata in A, Op82
• Chopin - Barcarolle in F sharp, Op60
• Chopin - Piano Sonata in B minor, Op58

In 2006 Sunwook Kim from Korea was the youngest winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition for 40 years, as well as its first Asian winner. His career has since taken off with appearances worldwide.

Tickets:
Members and Friends of the Chopin Society: FREE
Reception tickets incl. glass of wine, or tea/coffee/juice and High Tea finger buffet for Members & Friends of the Chopin Society: £6, Youth Members: £3
Members concert tickets: £12/£10 (OAP), full-time students with ID: £6
Non-Members Reception tickets as above £6, students: £4

Details of venue

Daniel de Borah recital
October 11th at 3.30pm

Programme:

• Mozart - Fantasy in C minor, K475
• Schumann - Fantasy in C, Op17
• Chopin - Ballade No 4 in F minor,Op52
• Chopin - 4 Mazurkas, Op68
• Chopin - Fantasy in F minor, Op49

Australian Daniel de Borah was selected in 2005 for representation by YCAT (Young Concert Artists' Trust). He won the Royal Overseas League Competition in 2007 and has appeared all over the UK and also in Australia, Russia and Europe.

"I was immediately impressed by his pianism, his musicianship and his ability to draw the listener into his musical world" Stephen Hough

Tickets:
Members and Friends of the Chopin Society: FREE
Reception tickets incl. glass of wine, or tea/coffee/juice and High Tea finger buffet for Members & Friends of the Chopin Society: £6, Youth Members: £3
Non-Members concert tickets:£12/£10 (OAP), full-time students with ID: £6.
Non-Members Reception tickets as above £6, students: £4

Details of venue