Bach: Prelude & Fugue in F minor (BWV857) from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I
Beethoven: Sonata in E major (Op.109)
Chopin: Ballade no.4 in F minor (Op.52)
Granados: Quejas ó la maja y el ruiseñor (The Maiden and the Nightingale)
Mompou: El Lago (The Lake)
Ravel: Miroirs
Beethoven: Sonata in A flat (Op.110)
Prokofiev: Sonata in B flat (Op.84)
Berg: Piano Sonata (Op.1)
Schubert: Sonata in A minor (D.845)
Please note that this is an amended programme.
Bach: English Suite no.1 in A major BWV 806
Chopin: Ballade no.1 in G minor (Op.23)
Liszt: Années de Pélèrinage Book 1 (Suisse)
Haydn: Sonata in F major (Hob.xvi/23)
Beethoven: Sonata in D minor (Tempest) (Op.31)
Schubert: Impromptus D899 nos.2,3,4 (Op.90)
Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite
Photo by David Levenson
(updated 14 September)
The Sunderland Pianoforte Society continued its 77th season with a recital given by well established British pianist, Ashley Wass. An old friend of the Society who was making a welcome return visit, he gave the audience a wonderful evening performing works by Bach, Schumann and Elgar. As well as winning many competitions Ashley has performed at many of the world’s finest concert halls including the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He made his Proms debute in 2008 and since then has played in many countries.
The evening began with a most impressive performance of the Bach Partita No. 1 in B flat which was played with great authority and contrast and was clearly enjoyed by the audience. This was followed by Kinderszenen by Schumann which was given a beautiful performance and was a good contrast to the Bach. After the interval we heard Elgar’s own transcription of the Enigma Variations, a much loved work which is rarely heard as a piano solo but Ashley Wass managed to make this sound very orchestral, using the piano in a most professional manner and producing very rich sounds. This is a true artist.
The audience were not willing to let Ashley finish and were given an encore of the Arietta, op.12 no.1 by Grieg. Altogether, a very good evening.
Lily Scott
Bach: Partita no.1 in B flat major, BWV 825
Schumann: Kinderszenen Op. 15
INTERVAL
Elgar: Enigma Variations (composer’s transcription)
Sunderland Pianoforte Society continued its 77th Season with a recital given by the brilliant young Lithuanian pianist Ugnius Pauliukonis who delighted his audience with a thoughtful and interesting programme. The recital began with a beautiful performance of the Sonata no. 52 in E flat by Haydn which was played with great care and authority. The speed was perfect as was the use of pedal which was minimal. This was followed by a selection of Chopin Nocturnes, Waltzes and Studies which made a good end to the first half. After the interval we heard Images, Book 1 by Debussy and again were impressed by the atmosphere created by Reflets dans L’eau which was followed by Hommage a Rameau and Mouvement which was given a brilliant performance. The evening finished with a moving and beautiful performance of the Sonata no.2 in B flat minor by Chopin, and the audience which had bravely struggled through very bad weather to attend were well rewarded by having such a good evening.
The Society is grateful for the sponsorship and support of Making Music’s Philip and Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists scheme which over the years has been a great help to the Society.
Lily Scott