Westminster
London SW1P 3HA
UK
THE BARCAROLLE.
Chopin’s lilting Barcarolle has served as the inspiration to many subsequent composers, standing out as one of his greatest mature masterpieces and provides the fitting conclusion to a varied programme of miniatures – including the well-loved Bercuese and the Trois Nouvelles Études.
There will be a pre-concert event at 18.30
The award-winning concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith has made his solo debuts to critical acclaim at Wigmore and Carnegie Halls and has performed as concerto soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2015-16 he is performing a marathon cycle of Chopin’s complete works for solo piano, from memory over 11 concerts at St John’s, Smith Square. Glowing reviews so far: ” .. triumphantly confirmed Mailley-Smith’s Chopin credentials .. formidable technique .. breathtaking command of dynamic gradations .. wholly exceptional .. This quite memorable recital was justly rewarded with a spontaneous standing ovation .. brilliant account of the youthful G sharp minor .. subtle, atmospheric performance of the Opus 72/1 Nocturne marked by a beautifully played remote accompaniment and effortless drifts of decoration .. elegant tone and emotional refinement .. assured technique .. each (Etude)was a minor miracle, sensitively rendered and deftly delivered .. overall result was exceptionally engaging and intense .. intensely poetic: under his sensitive touch the music grew and ramified persuasively .. the Mazurkas themselves emerged pristine: he caught the sweet artlessness and abrupt mood-changes to a T .. consistently high technical and expressive standard.. his mastery of phrasing and a quite magical graduation between piano and pianissimo passages .. exceptionally well conveyed .. admirably convincing .. finely observed .. one has nothing but high praise .. outstandingly well performed .. full of considerable interpretative understanding, and possessing an organic cohesion which did full justice to Chopin’s profoundly expressive originality.”
Warren is in increasing demand as a solo concert artist, having been described recently by Classic FM as ‘Stunning…’, ‘Fantastic…’ ‘Sensational’, ‘Huge UK talent…’ and by BBC Music Magazine as ‘Rising Star – Great Artist of Tomorrow” .
He has received over thirty invitations to perform for the British Royal Family and has recorded ten solo CDs, the latest of which, Rhapsody in Blue, was selected as Classic FM’s ‘Disc of the Week’ just before Christmas 2015.
Warren studied at the Royal College of Music where he won numerous postgraduate prizes. He has studied with John Barstow, the late Ronald Smith and Peter Feuchtwanger.
Warren is currently in demand for his teaching expertise both privately and in masterclasses, appearing regularly on the faculties of Pro Corda and Piano Week as well as regular teaching and coaching at Royal College of Music and Trinity Junior Departments.
PROGRAMME:
Polonaise Op. 44 No. 5 in F-Sharp Minor,
Nocturne op.15 (1830-33) – No.2 in F-Sharp
Mazurka in C, Op. 67, No. 3
Mazurka No. 47 in A Minor, Op. 67, No. 4
Mazurka No. 48 in C, Op. 68, No. 1
Mazurka No. 49 in A Minor, Op. 68, No. 2
Mazurka No. 50 in F, Op. 68, No. 3
Etude in F Minor, Op. posth. ” Méthode des méthodes ” (Trois Nouvelles Études)
Etude in A-Flat, Op. posth. ” Méthode des méthodes ”
Etude in D-Flat, Op. posth. ” Méthode des méthodes ”
Variations Brillantes on Je vends des Scapulaires op.12 (1833)
Berceuse in Db op.57 (1843)
Polonaise No. 1 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 26, No. 1
Polonaise No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 26, No. 2
Bourrees, B. 160b: No. 1 in G Minor
2 Bourrees, B. 160b: No. 2 in A Major
Nocturne No. 14 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 48, No. 2
Barcarolle in F# op.60 (1845-46)