Friday the 31st of July 2009 1.05 PM JS Bach/Johannes Brahms Chaconne in D minor (from BWV 1004) for the left hand alone (1879)
Frédéric Chopin/Leopold Godowsky Eleven Etudes for the left hand alone (1899-1914)
Recently praised by The New Yorker as an "adventurous pianist" who "likes his music on the brainy side,” Ivan Ilic is rapidly gaining a strong international reputation. He returns to Dublin from Paris with another exciting and unusual programme, for the left hand only. The Chopin-Godowsky Etudes have earned their reputation among the most difficult pieces in the repertoire; the recital opens with Bach's Chaconne, an undisputable masterpiece.
Ivan says of this programme, "The Bach Chaconne is a perfectly etched work. It is among the most profound expressions of humanity in classical music, which is why audience reactions are always so strong. I love opening my recitals with it. Meanwhile the Chopin-Godowsky are easily among the most difficult pieces I've ever played. Part of the attraction of performing with one hand is the inherent technical challenge. Of course there’s a showy element: look what I can do! But the music is also a significant rethinking of Chopin's most inspired moments."
A disciple of the legendary François-René Duchâble, Ivan started music studies at age 6 and gave his recital debut at 11. He studied music and mathematics at UC Berkeley before taking a Premier Prix at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris. At age 20 he launched a solo recital career that has taken him throughout Europe and America. Ivan gave his Carnegie Hall debut in June 2008 at Weill Hall, and his forthcoming engagements include a recital at Wigmore Hall (London). This is his third visit to the National Concert Hall. This year he has already been touring Ireland, with performances in Letterkenny, Bangor, Downpatrick, Listowel, Birr, Waterville and Navan. Prior to the Dublin concert, he will be performing on the 29th July at the Boyle Arts Festival.
Ivan's first CD of music by Claude Debussy, lauded as "masterly" by Gramophone Magazine, recently received Mezzo Television's prestigious Critic's Choice Award in France.
Reviews and Recommendations from Europe and the US
"A pianist of real personality, his name is one to remember." Le Monde de la Musique ??"Spirited and yet very carefully distilled playing." International Record Review
"Fidelity to what the score says is impeccable." Classical Music Magazine
For a review of Ivan’s most recent concert at Wigmore Hall, please see: http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=7154
Tickets Tickets: 12 euro Tel: 01 417 0000 Website: www.nch.ie <http://www.nch.ie>
Further Information For more information please visit www.IvanCDG.com <http://www.IvanCDG.com> .
For further media information please contact Stephanie Dickenson at Kate Bowe PR Tel: + 353 1 652 0143 E-mail stephanie@katebowepr.ie <mailto:steph@katebowepr.ie>