The immensely creative pianist Ashley Wass returns to Parbold in his role as Director of Music at the Yehudi Menuhin School.
He brings with him four young string players, all recent graduates of the renowned specialist music school. Priding itself on giving opportunities to all, the school nurtures the talents of the most musically-gifted children from around the world, and provides an academic education to support them throughout their musical lives.
- Maya Broman Crawford-Phillips, violin/viola
- Clara Wernig, violin
- Ignacy Stefanowicz, violin
- Azamat Mukhtaruly, cello
Together, Ashley Wass and the string players have programmed an evening of rich, expressive chamber music. They begin with Korngold’s Suite, a rare showcase for piano left hand, two violins and cello written for the concert pianist Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right arm in WW1. Korngold’s enviable talent for cinematic music shimmers throughout the lush string textures in this Suite. This is powerful musical storytelling at its finest. A second half of music by Robert Schumann follows, full of Romantic fire and brilliance. Schumann’s Canon Etudes arranged for piano trio is delightfully intricate, and his majestic Piano Quintet Op.44, bursting with intensity and lyrical charm, provides a deeply moving ending.
- Korngold: Suite for piano left hand, 2 violins and cello, Op. 23
- Interval
- Schumann: 6 etudes in canon form, Op. 56 (arranged Kirchner for piano trio)
- Schumann: Piano Quintet, Op. 44
“… the enviable gift to turn almost anything he plays into pure gold” – Gramophone Magazine