UW News

February 9, 2011

Pianist Simon Trpceski performs at Meany Feb. 16

Simon Trpceski

Simon Trpceski

Pianist Simon Trpceski performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Meany Hall as part of the Presidents Piano Series.

The program includes Haydns Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI/20, Mozarts Variations on “Salve tu, Domine”, in F Major, K. 398 and Variations on “Come un agnello,” in A Major, K. 460, four nocturnes by Chopin and Songs and Whispers, a suite for solo piano by Pande Shahov.

Trpceskis repertoire ranges from Rachmaninov and Stravinsky to Chopin and Debussy. His EMI recordings have earned him Editors Choice and Best Debut Album picks from Gramophone Magazine. Trpceskis recent solo recitals have included performances in Tokyo, Milan, Hamburg, Munich, London, Paris, and even a performance for the U.N. General Assembly. This recital will mark his fourth appearance on the Presidents Piano Series.

The Shahov piano suite is an American debut. Shahov is currently working on his doctorate in composition at the Royal Holloway University of London, under Phil Cashians supervision. He lives in Hampshire and works as a lecturer at Alton College.

Regarding Songs and Whispers, Shahov writes the following: “Simon Trpceski approached me with an idea for a piece linked to the 200th anniversary of Chopins birth. To link the suite to Chopins music more closely, I decided to take two quotes from the beginning bars of his pieces and compose two short interludes based on this material. After the first couple of bars, these interludes take these quotes in directions different to those of Chopin. Therefore, the songs are the melodies I have grown up with and the whispers are those of Chopin. Trpceski suggested I write a (relatively) tonal piece, with the songs being entirely recognizable to those who knew them, whilst introducing them without too much modification to those who did not know them. It is also my way of paying homage not only to Chopin but also to Debussy, Ravel and Satie, composers I still admire and love.”

Tickets for the concert are $37 ($20 for students). Tickets may be purchased by phone at 206-543-4880, online, or in person at the UW Arts Ticket Office.