Invitation
You are invited to a private concert by Martin James Bartlett, one of UK’s most acclaimed young pianists. He performed at Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday thanksgiving service, which was live broadcasted by the BBC from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Now, we are lucky to be able to see and hear him close and personal in this intimate setting.
100% OF THE DONATIONS WILL GO TO THE PIANIST. Please be generous.
Martin is the winner of the BBC Young Musician of the year in 2014. In 2015, he was one of the youngest-ever soloists to debut at the BBC Proms. In March 2019, Prince Charles awarded Martin the prestigious Queen Mother Rose Bowl on behalf of the Royal College of Music, where Martin received his undergraduate degree.
Martin’s debut recording on the Warner Classics label, entitled “Love and Death,” has been critically acclaimed. His second album “Rhapsody: Rachmaninoff, Gershwin” will be released in March this year.
For a taster, here is a video of Martin’s performance of George Gershwin / Earl Wild: Etude #4 “Embraceable you”
The program
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (arr. Ferruccio Busoni)
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (arr. Myra Hess)
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU
Suite in A Minor, RCT 5 – VII. Gavotte et six doubles
JOSEF HAYDN
Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI:46
FRANZ LISZT-RICHARD WAGNER
“Liebestod” from Tristan und Isolde
JULIAN ANDERSON
“She Hears”
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (arr. Earl Wild)
“Where Beauty Dwells” Op. 21, No. 7
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (arr. Earl Wild)
“Vocalise” Op. 34, No. 14
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Polka de W.R.MAURICE RAVEL
La valse
About the program
Tonight’s program is an exploration of many different facets of piano literature, including works inspired by ballet and opera.
We begin with Baroque and French literature, full of dance motifs and elegance, and culminate in an altogether different genre of the French musical world – Ravel’s monumental and whirling piano transcription of his own La valse.
In between, we explore the wonderful transcriptions of Franz Liszt and Earl Wild and, in keeping with the spirit of dance, a capricious polka by Rachmaninoff.