St John’s International Piano Series: Benjamin Grosvenor
About St John’s International Piano Series: Benjamin Grosvenor
Sofia Gubaidulina Chaconne
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Sonata no.13, K.333
Ludvig van Beethoven Piano Sonata no.14, op.27 no.2 ‘Moonlight’
Interval
Alexander Scriabin Piano Sonata no.2, op.19
Ferenc Liszt Three Petrarch Sonnets
Frédéric Chopin Piano Sonata no.2, op.35
Benjamin Grosvenor programmes some all-time favourites – Beethoven’s lovely ‘Moonlight’ sonata for one – but he also springs surprises. The opening Chaconne is by Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who died recently.
The piece was a commission from a prize-winning pianist and, as Gubaidulina explained, she kept the pianist’s specific abilities very much in mind as she worked. The result is wonderfully virtuosic.
Scriabin’s reputation for being difficult came late, his sonata no.2 is readily accessible and filled with delicate imagery.
The sea was his inspiration: he has sunlight dancing on waves, gentle moonbeams in the dark of night and sombre agitation from the depths. The piece is fiendishly challenging, a treat to hear it performed live.
Access to St John’s College Auditorium
Concert-goers are asked to enter St John’s College via the back gate at 8 Parks Road, OX1 3PD (shortly before the traffic lights with South Parks Road). This accessible entrance provides quick and direct access to the Auditorium. The gate will be open from 7.00 pm on concert evenings. Please note, concert-goers will not be permitted access via the St John’s Main Lodge on St Giles.
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
From 30.00
All orders will be subject to a per transaction booking fee of £1.50
Dates & times:
Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm
Doors open at 7.00pm
Running time:
2 hours, including an interval
Good to know:
Buy a ticket for every concert in the series, within the same transaction, to benefit from a 20% discount. This allows you to choose the seats you prefer for each concert.
