On October 20, Vassily Primakov will perform the world premiere of
“Piano Concerto No. 2” by the Danish composer Poul Ruders. The
performance will take place in Oslo, Norway, with the Norwegian Radio
Orchestra conducted by the orchestra’s Music Director, Thomas
Søndergård. The 24 minute concerto, in three movements, was
commissioned by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and American pianist,
Jerome Lowenthal. The premiere performance will be broadcast in
Norway, and subsequently recorded for Bridge Records. An article about
the new concerto appears in the October issue of the British
publication, “International Piano”.
Vassily Primakov is currently on the last leg of an intense 30 day
tour of South Africa that includes 14 concerts, masterclasses at
conservatories in Pretoria, Capetown and Port Elizabeth, and
performances of the Dvorak Concerto and Chopin Second Concerto with
three orchestras. The South African press has written rave reviews and
Primakov’s CDs have achieved “Best-Seller” status.
BBC Music Magazine’s October issue has named Primakov’s DVD
its “BBC MUSIC CHOICE”. The DVD includes performances of the Four
Chopin Ballades, Brahms’s “Intermezzi”, Op. 117, and Scriabin’s
“Sonata No. 4”. Critic Jessica Duchen writes: “This video reveals
Primakov as a serious artist with fabulous pianistic skills. His tone
is velvety, his phrasing unfailingly sensitive….when Primakov loses
himself in the music and lets rip, the effect is marvellous: the
Chopin “Ballades” are full of tenderness and elation, and I love the
caressing quality he brings to the loping second theme of the Third.
The Scriabin is a triumph….this ultra-Romantic artist is certainly
one to watch.”
In November Bridge Records will release Primakov’s latest CD- a
compilation of live concert performances, including Schubert’s
“Wanderer” Fantasy, Rachmaninoff’s “Sonata No. 2” Tchaikovsky’s
“Children’s Album” and two “Chorale Preludes” by Brahms.