JOINT STUDY AFTERNOON WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE PHILHARMONIA
The Rachmaninoff Society and the Friends of the Philharmonia Orchestra jointly organised a study afternoon at the Royal Festival Hall in London (UK) on 30 November, which over 120 people attended. The focus of the event was Piano Concerto No.3, which was at the heart of that evening's performance. The Society is very grateful for the support of the Philharmonia (especially Friends Manager Stephanie Dittmer) in making this enlightening and enjoyable event happen.
The soloist, Macedonian phenomenon Simon Trpceski, talked about tackling what is perhaps the most challenging piece in the whole piano repertoire. He explained that his approach as a performer was chiefly "to let the score speak for itself". He was interviewed by renowned Rachmaninoff expert Geoffrey Norris, who is also Chief Music Critic at the Daily Telegraph.
(Left: Simon Trpceski in conversation with Geoffrey Norris. Picture: Wouter de Voogd)
Rachmaninoff Society member Ian Flint then gave an insightful and entertaining lecture about the Concerto, with piano accompaniment. Ian challenged the oft-encountered assumption that Rachmaninoff wrote 19th Century music in the 20th Century. Looking below the surface of the big melodies, he examined the very modern compositional devices used by Rachmaninoff - a few of which, taken out of context, sounded distinctly like 20th Century avant-garde!
