JS Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’, a monumental collection of 48 Preludes and Fugues, is recognised as one of the supreme achievements of Western music. Rich in musical invention and expression, its influence continues to resonate widely today. Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, composed some 200 years later and modelled directly on the Bach work, has been acclaimed as one of the pianistic jewels of the twentieth-century.
Gusztáv Fenyo performs these two extraordinary cycles side-by-side in five recitals, each beginning with Bach and ending with Shostakovich, thus offering a unique listening experience which highlights their formal connections. This imaginative coupling is not only innovative and challenging but also, potentially, a gateway to understanding the musical language of our own time.
One of Scotland’s leading musicians, Gusztáv Fenyo has been highly praised for his cycles of works by one composer, including Beethoven’s 32 Sonatas, Chopin’s complete solo piano works and Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues.
Related to the legendary Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, he has performed a comprehensive solo, chamber and concerto repertoire on three continents and broadcast for the BBC, ABC and Hungarian Radio. His commercial recordings include the violin/piano music of Bartók, Delius and Goossens, as well as works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Stanford, Dunhill and Bantock.
Winner of the Australian Broadcasting Commission's concerto competition at age 18, Gusztáv Fenyo studied in London with Schnabel's disciple, Maria Curcio, and at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, where he introduced works by Stockhausen, Boulez, Xenakis, Cage and Takemitsu. His Wigmore Hall début premièred Games by Hungary’s leading composer, György Kurtág.
‘…the kind of musical charisma that seems to sharpen the listener’s powers of concentration…’ The Herald, Glasgow
Next in series: 22 May