‘Trifonov’s virtuosity is different. It’s elegant and purposeful…’ The Guardian
After his triumph in the final of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 2011, Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has captivated the music world with his unique blend of powerful furor and dexterity. He caused storms everywhere he performed: 'he has tenderness and also the demonic element,' thus exclaimed Martha Argerich, 'I never heard anything like that'. His début at Verbier Festival was described in Süddeutsche Zeitung as 'a real culture shock'. His Wigmore Hall début made as 'an event of possible historical significance.' (The Times)
Obsessed with the colourful sound world of Scriabin in his early years, Trifonov has won multiple awards and seen his career in meteoric rise. Signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, he has since released recordings that also caused sensation among music lovers. 'A staggering display of unbounded virtuosity and vision' as The Sunday Times notes his Rachmaninov recording.
Trifonov’s Hong Kong début will see him perform his dearly-loved Chopin and two variations on the music of the poet of the piano: one by the last romantic Rachmaninov and, lesser-known but equally tempting, by Catalan composer Mompou. Get on with the 'Trifonov hype'!
Mompou
Variations on a Theme of Chopin
Schumann
Chopin (from Carnaval, Op.9)
Grieg
Studie (Hommage à Chopin) (from Stimmungen, Op. 73)
Barber
Nocturne, Op. 33
Tchaikovsky
Un poco di Chopin (from 18 Morceaux, Op. 72)
Rachmaninov
Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22
Chopin
Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35
Daniil Trifonov
Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov – winner of Gramophone’s 2016 Artist of the Year award – has made a spectacular ascent in the world of classical music as a solo artist, a champion of the concerto repertoire, a collaborator at the keyboard in chamber music and song, and a composer. Combining consummate technique with rare sensitivity and depth, his performances are a perpetual source of awe. The Times (UK) calls Trifonov “without question the most astounding pianist of our age.”
Focusing on Chopin in the 2017-18 season, Trifonov releases Chopin Evocations, his fourth album as an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, which includes both works by Chopin himself and, marking Trifonov’s first foray into a new repertoire, works of 20th-century composers who were greatly influenced by the Polish master, including Samuel Barber, Federico Mompou and others. The pianist gives over 20 recitals on the same theme across the United States, Europe and Asia this season, including one in Carnegie Hall as part of the seven concerts, season-long “Perspectives” series which he curates. Three of the seven concerts are devoted to Chopin and his influence: the solo recital and two all-Chopin programs with cellist Gautier Capuçon and the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra. Further concerts in the series include collaborations with baritone Matthias Goerne and Trifonov’s teacher and mentor Sergei Babayan, the latter capping a tour in the United States that includes the world premiere of a commissioned work of Carnegie Hall for two pianos by Mauro Lanza; a performance of his own piano concerto with the Mariinsky Orchestra, again culminating a tour in the United States; and a solo recital in Zankel Hall that includes a seminal piece from each decade of the 20th century. Trifonov curates a similar series this season at the Vienna Konzerthaus, where he gives five performances, and in San Francisco, concluding with a season-closing Rachmaninov performance with the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson-Thomas.
Other season highlights include an Asian tour in the fall, and European tours with violinist Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra, the London Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra. Further orchestral appearances include Strauss’s Burleske with the Spanish National Orchestra and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra; the Schumann’s concerto with Lisbon’s Gulbenkian Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker; Prokofiev’s work with the Mariinsky Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra; Scriabin’s concerto with the Seattle Symphony and Ludovic Morlot; a performance of his own piano concerto with the Detroit Symphony; and Rachmaninov performances with Gergiev and the Munich Philharmonic and the Toronto Symphony as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.
It was during the 2010-11 season that Trifonov won medals at three of the music world’s most prestigious competitions, taking the Third Prize in the International Chopin Piano Competition, the First Prize in the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, and both the First Prize and Grand Prix – an additional honor bestowed on the best overall competitor in any category – in the International Tchaikovsky Competition. In 2013 he was also awarded the prestigious Franco Abbiati Prize for Best Instrumental Soloist by Italy’s foremost music critics.
Born in Nizhny Novgorod in 1991, Trifonov began his musical training at the age of five, and went on to attend Moscow’s Gnessin School of Music as a student of Tatiana Zelikman, before pursuing his piano studies with Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has also studied composition, and continues to write for piano, chamber ensemble, and orchestra. When he premiered his own piano concerto in 2013, the Cleveland Plain Dealer marveled: “Even having seen it, one cannot quite believe it. Such is the artistry of pianist-composer Daniil Trifonov.”
Tickets available from 11 August at URBTIX outlets, on Internet, by Mobile Ticketing App and Credit Card Telephone Booking.
Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients.
(Limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis.)
“Great Music” Package Discount
For each purchase of standard tickets for "Piano Recital by Daniil Trifonov", "Violin Recital by Kyung Wha Chung", "The Sixteen", "Piano Recital by Rafał Blechacz" and "Philharmonia Quartett Berlin", the following concession applies:
5% off for any 2 programmes, 10% off for any 3 programmes, 15% off for any 4 programmes, 20% off for all 5 programmes.
Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discount offers.
The performance will run for about 1 hour and 45 minutes including a 20 minute intermission. Audience is strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break. Presenter reserves the right to change the programme.
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