| Khatia Buniatishvili | Piano |
Described by Classic FM as 'a young artist with a huge temperament and technique that puts one in mind of the young Martha Argerich', this is the first chance to hear Buniatishvili in the International Piano Series.
Still in her mid twenties, the Georgian pianist has been enjoying a meteoric rise to fame in the musical world. She was a BBC New Generation Artist from 2009 until 2011 and Martha Argerich has acclaimed her as 'a young pianist of extraordinary talent'.
Her programme provides the opportunity to show many facets of her artistry. Ravel's atmospheric 'Gaspard de la Nuit' forms the centre of the first half, prefaced by Brahms' tender and thoughtful Intermezzi – some of his most beautiful miniatures.
Khatia's astonishing virtuosity is reflected in the latter half of the programme with two whirlwind interpretations – Ravel's 'La Valse' and the piano version of three movements from Stravinsky's balletPetrushka, in which the music depicts a busy fairground and the unsuspected emotional anguish of a puppet within it.
