The art of South Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son is characterised by refined interpretation, crystalline bowing and versatile, engaging expression. Her recital performance will present a cross-section of virtuosic 19th-century piano compositions.

Georges Bizet
Chromatic Concert Variations

Carl Czerny
Variations on Rode’s theme Op. 33

Ferenc Liszt
Transcendental Etudes, No. 9 in A flat major “Ricordanza”

Charles Valentin Alkan
Variations on a theme from Daniel Steibelt’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major “L’orage” Op. 1

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 29 in B flat major “Hammer Piano” Op. 106

Yoel Eum Son – piano

The art of South Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son is characterized by refined interpretation, crystalline stroke and versatile, engaging expression. Her recital performance will present a cross-section of virtuosic 19th-century piano compositions.

French composer Georges Bizet became famous as an opera composer and author of the immortal Carmen. However, most of his piano compositions are rather forgotten. This is also the case with the Chromatic Concert Variations of 1868, which were written for the then-famous pianist Stephen Heller. The dramatic expression shows the undisguised inspiration of Beethoven’s work.

Franz Liszt dedicated a set of Transcendental Etudes from 1837 to his teacher Carl Czerny. The ninth etude of the cycle, subtitled ‘Ricordanza’, whose melancholic and sorrowful character, with its occasional rush of emotion, is reminiscent of faded love letters, is the counterpart of Czerny’s variations.

The second half of the evening is filled with Ludwig van Beethoven’s monumental Piano Sonata No. 29 “Hammer Piano” from 1818, one of his most technically difficult piano compositions and long considered unplayable.