|
|
 |
| |
| Give him a big hand |
RUSTEM HAYROUDINOFF
Amadeus Centre
THE problem with playing Rachmaninoff is trying to cope with
the size of the composer’s hands.
His hand spam was huge and as a pianist with fairly middle-sized
hands I find trying to manage intervals of elevenths and twelfths
always requiring dramatic left hand leaps and imaginative dexterity.
But Rustem Hayroudinoff (pictured) comes from an enviable Russian
tradition, not only of large hands, but musically he seems ideally
suited to manage Rachmaninoff’s love of broad, sweeping melodies
and drama.
He is playing at the Amadeus Centre, Little Venice, on Friday in
a concert to raise money for the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the
Mother of God and All Saints in Knightsbridge – and it promises
to be quite an occasion.
Hayroudinoff has been garnering good headlines around the world
for several years and is a worthy member of the great line of wonderful
Russian pianists.
He made his UK debut in 2002 at St John’s, Smith Square, and
now records exclusively for the excellent label Chandos. Here he
will play Rachmaninoff’s Etudes, Tableaux, Op 39, no. 1 in
C Minor, 2 in A minor, 5 in E flat minor, 7 in C minor and 9 in
D major.
And in the second half violinist Dmitriy Torchinstky, accompanied
by Elena Malimova on piano, will perform Fritz Kreisler’s Liebesleid
and Liebesfraud – two delightful waltzes – Rachmaninoff’s
Vocalise and Ravel’s Tzigane.
It is not just a classical concert, though, and for the ticket price
– a fund-raising £30 – the evening begins with champagne
and canapés and ends with a grand prize draw including paintings,
dance lessons, and meals at a variety of restaurants. And if that
is not enough, it is all topped with a fashion show. |
|
|
