What's On

Mark Bebbington’s polished and perceptive interpretations of 20th century piano music are internationally recognised. His skill in creating insight through his programming is exemplified here, as he contrasts English and French Impressionism and explores the links between the late-romantic worlds of Alban Berg and Frank Bridge.

‘Bebbington brings out the opalescent harmonies and wayward phrases of these pieces to perfection.' BBC Music Magazine

The Island Spell

John Ireland (1879-1962)

Month's Mind

John Ireland (1879-1962)

Elegy from A Downland Suite, arranged for piano

John Ireland (1879-1962)

Amberley Wild Brooks from 2 Pieces

John Ireland (1879-1962)

5 Préludes

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Sonata for Piano

Alban Berg (1885-1935)

Piano Sonata

Frank Bridge (1879-1941)

Elegant and moving music from two of the finest composers ever to call Vienna their home. Mozart's Third Violin Concerto, written when he was only nineteen, is full of youthful charm, with a slow movement of tender romance. The final rondo features a lively dance tune associated with Strasbourg, from which the Concerto gets its nickname. Mahler's Fourth Symphony, which opens with jingling sleigh-bells, is one of his most delicate. Yet there is all the contrast you'd expect from Mahler: a quirky scherzo and a slow movement of yearning beauty, ending with the finale's soprano solo unfolding a child's vision of Heaven.

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No 3 in G, 'Strassburg'

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Symphony No 4 in G

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

The tragic Pathétique was written just months before its composer’s suicide. Neeme Järvi conducts this famous Swiss orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s final testament, preceded by Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Arvo Pärt’s coolly beautiful Silhouette, inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s visionary architect.

Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall, says of tonight’s recommended concert:

Go on and don’t let anything scare you; you’ve got what it takes – Liszt’s words of encouragement for the 26 year-old Grieg, having just played through a draft of the young Norwegian’s Piano Concerto. From that famous dramatic opening flourish to the energetic final movement, it’s easy to understand the enduring appeal of Grieg’s sole concerto.

Silhouette, Hommage à Gustave Eiffel

Arvo Pärt (1935-)

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Symphony No 6 in B minor, 'Pathétique'

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Catherine Beynon studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Conservatoire Superieur de Musique in Lyon.
She has given solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, and St Martin-in-the-Fields and as a concerto soloist has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the London Chamber Orchestra. Catherine was appointed principal harp in the Orchestra Philharmonic du Luxembourg in 2003. She was invited to play with the Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonie Orchester in performances and recordings with Mariss Jansons in Munich and at Carnegie Hall, New York and in December 2011 she performed with Orchestra Mozart and Claudio Abbado in Florence. An enthusiastic chamber musician, Catherine has performed in the BBC Proms Chamber Music Series and throughout Europe and Japan and with many distinguished artists. Among her numerous recordings, the disc “Flute Mystery” together with Emily Beynon, Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra was nominated for a 2010 Grammy.

Emily Beynon is principal flute of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam. Born in Wales, she studied with William Bennett at the Royal Academy where she was made a Fellow in 2002 and with Alain Marion in Paris. Equally at home in front of the orchestra as in its midst, Emily has performed as concerto soloist with, amongst others, The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Orchestras, NHK Symphony, the Vienna, Prague, Netherlands and English Chamber Orchestras and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As a chamber musician she works regularly with her sister, the harpist, Catherine Beynon and the pianist Andrew West, and has made guest appearances with the Nash Ensemble, Skampa Quartet, Steven Isserlis, Dame Felicity Lott, Jean-Yves Tibaudet, the Kungsbacka Trio, and Brodsky Quartet.

She is frequently heard on BBC radio and has featured in several television documentaries for Thames, the BBC and AVRO (Netherlands).

The Hattori Foundation was established as an Educational Trust by the Hattori Family and granted charity status in 1992. The aim of the Foundation in the field of music is to encourage and assist exceptionally talented young instrumental soloists or chamber ensembles who are British Nationals or resident in the UK and whose talent and achievements give promise of an international career. This is the fifth season of rush-hour recitals featuring some of the outstanding award recipients of the last 20 years.

Fantaisie for Violin and Harp

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Naiades for Flute and Harp

William Alwyn (1905-1985)

Syrinx for solo Flute

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Fantasie Brilliant on Bizet's 'Carmen'

François Borne (1840-1920)