The inaugural Festival of Russian Music by Pushkin House opens with a concert in the exceptional acoustic of the historic baroque church St John’s Smith Square in Westminster. Dedicated to the memory of Russo-British philanthropist Alexandra Anastasia Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn OBE and commemorates the 140th anniversary of the birth of Nikolay Medtner.
A. GLAZUNOV Carnival, Op. 45
N. MEDTNER Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, Op. 50
P. TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony no. 5, Op. 64
Alexander Karpeyev, piano
Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra
James Blair MBE, conductor
The YMSO returns to St. John's Smith Square for their third concert of the 2019/20 season, 'Russian Carnival', part of the Pushkin House Music Festival. The concert opens in cheerful fashion with Glazunov's Carnival Overture. The first half then culminates in Nikolay Medtner's seldom played Piano Concerto no. 2. The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky's triumphant Symphony no. 5. Featured as ‘One to watch’ in International Piano magazine, Russian-born pianist Alexander Karpeyev has been a major prizewinner in international competitions, including 1st prizes at the Dudley International Piano Competition, the Norah Sande Award and Oxford Music Festival’s recital competition.
Russian-born pianist Alexander Karpeyev has been a major prizewinner in international competitions, including 1st prizes at the Dudley International Piano Competition, the Norah Sande Award and Oxford Music Festival’s recital competition. He is the graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City University London, where in 2014 he successfully defended his doctoral thesis on the performance practice in the music of Nikolay Medtner. Alexander has given recitals in the major venues of the UK (the Barbican, Kings Place, Purcell Room, Royal Festival, Cadogan, Wigmore and Queen Elizabeth Halls in London; Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and Holywell Music Room in Oxford). Abroad, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Greece, France, Japan, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. His performances have been featured on Sky Television and BBC Radio. In 2008 he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal. Alexander has been featured as ‘One to watch’ in International Piano magazine in 2018 and in 2016 he was appointed a Music Curator at the Pushkin House.
This concert is organised and promoted by the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra.
‘…these students represent the next generation of orchestral musicians who will continue our great classical tradition into the new millennium. The orchestra needs all your encouragement and support.’
Lord Menuhin, President of the YMSO, 1993-1999
