A Tribute to Chopin, Bach & Rostropovich at the Pergola

Mario Brunello

At Teatro Pergola on Saturday afternoon (4 pm), Yuja Wang will perform pieces by Brahms and Chopin with her signature virtuosic piano style.

Deemed “Flying Fingers” by the American press, Yuja Wang has become world-renown for her unconventionality and skill on the piano. The 29 year old was born in China, and now lives in Manhattan, giving her the chance to perform in major theater companies thought the US, in addition to Europe. She began studying music at the age of 6 in Beijing, and in 2007 became famous worldwide for her stand-in performance for Martha Argerich at a Tchaikovsky concert in Boston. Since then, Wang has worked with noted conductors such as Abbado, Mehta, Pappano and Temirkanov, and has performed with many orchestras from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the Berlin Philharmoniker.

The first piece to be featured in the performance will be Variations on a Theme by Handel op. 24.  The composition combines styles from the past with the technique of the variation itself. This will be followed by Prelude op.28 by Chopin. Inspired by Bach, this piece covers a range of emotion that requires a high level of skill to be able to express.  (imani webb)

Next, Saloncino of the Teatro della Pergola will host cellist Mario Brunello in a program highlighting the ornate and captivating baroque style of Bach on Sunday, March 26 and Monday, March 27.

Brunello’s rendition capture the classic harmonies such as Bach’s Cello Suite N. 1 while also being experimental and innovative with the performance of Bach’s Violin Sonatas adapted to the cello. What heightens this performance even more is the tribute to Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich by Brunello and Amici della Musica (The Friends of Music).

Mario Brunello is not only a renowned musician, but also is the founder of the “Orchestra d’Archi Italiana” (Orchestra of Italian Strings) and the festival “I Suoni delle Dolomite” (Sounds of the Dolomites). These various levels of engagement demonstrate the well-roundedness of his repertoire.

Brunello will be presenting of Bach’s Suites numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5 for solo cello. These cello suites have struck a cord even for those outside of the classical music community due to their passion, expressivity and memorable melodies. The evening continues with Bach’s Violin Sonata in G-Major, Violin Sonata A-minor, Violin Partita N. 2 B-Minor and Violin Partita N. 3 E-major. While these Sonatas were originally composed for violin, Brunello will be playing them on the cello.

The musical artist’s interpretation of Bach is also a tribute to the late Russian cellist and composer Mstislav Rostropovich. Rostropovich was known for his moving interpretations and March 27 commemorates the 90th anniversary of his birth. He describes Rostropovich as “epic, mythical and passionate” while emphasizing how “his [Rostropovich] performances carry the story of a population, a continent and a civilization.” While Rostropovich conveyed a classical sound, he still managed to instill a sense of his culture and history in his performances which has understandably influenced Brunello.

Parallel to Brunello’s performances, the Amici della Musica and Warner Classics have published a box set of recordings, photographs and videos of Rostropovich. This commemoration by both Brunello and Gli Amici della Musica demonstrate the influence and legacy that Rostropovich has left to posterity.

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