Breathtaking pianism from Aimard and Stefanovich

By Frances Wilson, 25 January 2017

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“If Brahms is mahogany, then Messiaen is bright shafts of vivid light and colour”

Reviewed at Smith Square Hall, London on 24 January 2017

Brahms, Sonata for 2 pianos in F minor, Op.34b

Messiaen, Visions de l'amen, for two pianos

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano

Tamara Stefanovich, Piano

Salonen leads an electrifying Boulez tribute in New York

Susan Stempleski, 3rd October

The Philharmonic continues its celebration of the composer-conductor’s centennial with pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard as soloist in an innovative program juxtaposing selections by the modernist maestro with pieces by Debussy.

****1

Reflections on Ravel: a three-course piano feast in Ciboure

Mark Pullinger, 2nd September

At the Festival Ravel, Bertrand Chamayou, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Hyunji Kim perform all the solo piano works at the Église Saint-Vincent, a stone’s throw from the house where Ravel was born.

****1

A novel take on a familiar tune: Tianyi Lu conducts Tchaikovsky 5

Ian Cochrane, 12th March

Tianyi Lu triumphs in her return to Montreal with a distinctive approach to Tchaikovsky's Fifth. Pierre-Laurent Aimard gives a spirited performance of Bartók's Third Piano Concerto.

***11

Dazzlingly dexterous Ravel from Aimard and Vӓnskӓ in Philadelphia

Cameron Kelsall, 7th March

The Philadelphia Orchestra's concert also served as a tribute to Michael Tilson Thomas, who was to have conducted the performance before withdrawing for cancer treatment.

****1

Passion and precision: Aimard plays Schoenberg and Ives

David Grundy, 2nd September

Revolutionary music, a century on: Pierre-Laurent Aimard excels in Schoenberg and Ives.

****1

Elim Chan and the RSNO thrill in three-concerto programme

David Smythe, 18th August

At the Edinburgh International Festival, Alison Balsom plays Wynton Marsalis's Trumpet Concerto, Pierre-Laurent plays Schoenberg's Piano Concerto before the RSNO plays Lutosławski's lively Concerto for Orchestra to finish.

****1

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Frances Wilson

A keen concert-goer, Frances is a pianist, piano teacher and blogger on pianism, music and culture.

Breathtaking pianism: Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Tamara Stefanovich at St John's Smith Square