Charismatic Musicians Headlining at the Pergola

This coming weekend at the Teatro della Pergola showcases arrangements by a talented soloist and a distinguished ensemble of musicians conveying late 19th and early 20th century musical themes.

Saturday, February 18 features a recital by pianist Beatrice Rana, who at age 24 is already a household name. Being the youngest competitor ever to win the International Piano Competition held in Montreal, Beatrice has gone on to perform in many of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls. While she is an accomplished solo artist, she has also accompanied world renowned orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The London Philharmonic.

Monday’s program (February 20 at 9 pm) will headline Alexander Lonquich (piano) along with siblings Caroline (violin) and Jörg Widmann (clarinet). Alexander Lonquich is a charismatic and well-known figure in the classical music community, not only as a performer but also as the conductor of the Mantua Chamber Orchestra (l’Orchestra da Camera di Mantova), the Salzburg Chamber Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Violinist Caroline Widmann is a popular favorite due to her nomination as “Artist of the Year” in 2013 at the International Classical Music Awards while her brother Jörg Widmann is the principle guest conductor of the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Saturday’s concert begins at 4 pm and boasts an impressive range of styles and time periods. The opening piece Partita No.2 in C Minor by J.S Bach demonstrates Beatrice’s mastery and appreciation of his music. Next is La suite per la Piano by French composer Debussy. Composed in the era of French Impressionism, the composition breaks many of the same molds that art and literature were doing at that time. That theme segues nicely to the work of contemporary Italian composer Francesco Antonini in his piece entitled Diatonic Prelude. Closing the performance is Sonata in B Minor composed by Franz Liszt, who is distinguished by his unique musical and poetic style.

Monday’s program propels the listener into Russia during the First Word War with Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat. This piece is followed by Four Pieces for Clarinet, Violin and Piano composed by A. Berg. This performance nicely segues into various movements composed by R. Schumann which will include Fantasiestücke op.73 and Sonata for piano and violin No. 1 in A minor Op. 105. The evening will close with B. Bartok’s Contrasts Sz. 111 for violin, cello and piano which was composed during Word War II and provides a lovely synthesis with Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat.

Tickets are available at Teatro della Pergola (Via della Pergola 24), Box Office (via delle Vecchie Carcieri 1) and Circuit Regional Box Office, and Dischi Fenice (via Santa Reparata 8).  For more information, visit Amici della Musica’s web site. (Madeleine Greaves)