CLEMENT PIANOS GO LIVE WITH BOSENDORFER IN NOTTINGHAM
Clement Pianos of Nottingham, widely regarded as one of the country’s leading piano dealers is to become the first showroom in the region to offer the most luxurious and prestigious grand pianos from Bösendorfer, one of the worlds oldest and most famous piano manufacturers. To celebrate the historic arrival from Austria of an impressive collection of six of these magnificent pianos, Clement Pianos based in Lenton Boulevard has joined forces with Bösendorfer to host a unique series of entertaining and educational intimate piano performances and workshops by critically acclaimed classical and jazz artists.
The series debuts on Saturday 4th February with a concert by two of the UK’s most respected jazz pianists, James Pearson and Tom Cawley to pay homage to one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time – Canadian pianist and composer Oscar Peterson, who played Bösendorfer almost exclusively for over 30 years.
With two stunning Bösendorfer grand pianos taking centre stage, James and Tom will be accompanied by special guests Sam Burgess on double bass and the legendary Ian Thomas on drums to replicate the famous sound of the Oscar Peterson Trio. The concert follows the hugely successful ‘Remembering Oscar Peterson’ night led by James Pearson at London’s world famous ‘Ronnie Scotts’ jazz club, where James is Musical Director.
Prior to the evening concert, in the afternoon of Saturday 4th February, James Pearson who is a recognised authority on Oscar Peterson will lead a special two hour jazz workshop/masterclass, 'A musical portrait of Oscar Peterson' that promises a do-not-miss opportunity for jazz pianists of all levels and abilities to receive invaluable hints and tips at close hand to help improve their playing technique. James is also offering 6 pianists the rare opportunity to participate in the masterclass section. Anyone wishing to work one on one with James should sign up as soon as possible as places will be allocated in advance on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets for the concert and workshop are each priced at £10 and with an audience capacity of just 60, early booking is strongly recommended.
For classical pianists and music lovers, on Wednesday 8th February, special guest Simon Oss from Bösendorfer will present a fascinating insight into the Bösendorfer brand and its history, followed by a free Piano Recital by leading concert artist Alexandra Dariescu.
Alexandra Dariescu will perform using Bösendorfer’s, ‘Liszt Anniversary Grand’ designed and produced as a limited edition in honour of the great composer’s 200th birthday. Franz Liszt was known for destroying other, more fragile instruments. Only the robust Bösendorfer grand, with its wonderful sound, was able to stand up to his rather furious virtuosity, and thus became the perfect partner for Liszt.
Featured as BBC Music Magazine’s Rising Star in June 2011, Alexandra Dariescu has become hugely popular with audiences since her debut at Bridgewater Hall was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 in 2006. She has since performed with some of the world’s leading conductors and concert orchestras and has appeared on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ and Classic FM. Highlights of Alexandra’s 2011/2012 season include her debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York, collaborating with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, three concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and appearing at the Cheltenham Festival for a BBC Radio 3 broadcast. Alexandra will return to Nottingham on 17th March to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no 1 at Royal Concert Hall, with the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra.
Clement Pianos owners Mick and Andy Wilson state, “We are immensely proud and delighted to have been appointed agents for Bösendorfer Pianos that offer the ultimate performance, elegance and opulence. We hope as many pianists and music lovers from across the region will join us on 4th and 8th February to experience these fantastic artists, improve their playing skills and discover the extraordinary heritage and special qualities of Bösendorfer pianos.”
EVENT DETAILS:
VENUE: Clement Pianos, 221 Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham. NG7 2BY
Tickets available from Clement Pianos – Tel: 01159 701106.
Saturday 4th Feb: 2pm—4pm
‘A musical Portrait of Oscar Peterson’ workshop/masterclass. Tickets: £10
Saturday 4th Feb: 7.30pm.
‘Remembering Oscar Peterson’ – concert featuring James Pearson and Tom Cawley. Tickets: £10
Wednesday 8th Feb 7.30pm
Presentation by Simon Oss of Bösendorfer / Piano Recital by:
Alexandra Dariescu – Admission Free.
Programme:
Schumann Abegg Variations op 1 (7min) and Liszt Ballade no 2 (13min)
Second 20min: Liszt/Wagner Liebestod (from Tristan and Isolde) (7min) and Chopin Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante op 22 (13min)
About James Pearson
James Pearson is one of the countries most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb. He regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitzu.
James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks. Classic F.M broadcast his concert of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. He was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. This year his trio The James Pearson Trio played a four night run in Birdland Jazz Club in New-York. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums
Amongst the many people James has worked with are, Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, Kevin Spacey, John Wilson, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.
About Tom Cawley
Pianist and composer Tom Cawley has been performing and recording with the country’s most successful and groundbreaking jazz artists for over ten years. Since winning the Young Jazz Musician of the Year award in 1998 he has played all over the world and led bands in residencies at the Blue Note club (New York) and Ronnie Scott’s (London).
Recently he has been instrumental in shaping the unique sound of the genre-bending iconoclasts Acoustic Ladyland, as well as writing and arranging songs with Gwyneth Herbert for her Blue Note debut album ‘Between Me And The Wardrobe’. 2007 saw the debut of Cawley’s much-acclaimed group Curios, a vehicle for Tom’s original music. The album, Hidden, made a startling impact on the jazz scene, winning a nomination as Best Album in the BBC Jazz Awards and reaching the top five in both the HMV and Radio 3 Jazz Charts. MOJO described the record as “an extraordinary collection of deeply personal, highly evolved music” and the Independent made Hidden ‘Album Of The Week’.
ENDS
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