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Tagged with 'Piano'

‘A musical bridge to the world of classical music’

Tautrinker on the piano

Tautrinker – this stage name is not only a translation of the surname of Austrian-born Michael Zlanabitnig but also reflects his visionary approach to music education. Inspired by the music he listened to during his childhood, Tautrinker was drawn to the piano from a young age where he began to explore improvisation and composition.

His aim with his innovative Piano Mantras series, is to build a musical bridge between the world of classical music that is modern, accessible and intuitive. Following the first volume, "Imagine Beethoven", in which he reimagined the powerful music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Tautrinker devotes himself to the immortal melodies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the latest volume, "Magic Mozart".

This article explores how these short piano miniatures make playing the piano even more enjoyable, whilst also offering an entirely new approach to the greatest masterpieces in music history.

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Work of the Week – Nikolai Kapustin: Concerto No. 5

Can classical music and jazz harmonise simultaneously? Nikolai Kapustin's Concerto No. 5 proves it's possible. The piece is set for its German debut, performed by the Junge Norddeutsche Philharmonie under the baton of Kiril Stankow. This remarkable event took place on August 6, 2023, in Bunderhee as a part of the Tidal Concerts, with Frank Dupree gracing the solo piano.

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Work of the Week – Pierre Jalbert: Ephemeral Objects

On 28 February, Pierre Jalbert’s Ephemeral Objects for cello and piano will receive its world premiere at Middlebury College, Vermont. The new work, which was commissioned by Middlebury Performing Arts Series in celebration of its 100th Anniversary, will be performed by cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han.

Ephemeral Objects is composed in seven self-contained movements which may be performed on their own, grouped into smaller sets of any length.

Pierre Jalbert’s music immediately captures one’s attention with its strong gesture and vitality. Rich in instrumental color and harmonically engaging, its narrative is dramatically compelling yet always logical in its flow. – American Academy of Arts and Letters

Jalbert draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, including English and French folksongs (the composer’s family moved to Vermont from Quebec), as well as catholic liturgical music. Elements of timeless and suspended music, an energetic scherzo, Gregorian chant, and French-Canadian folksongs all find their way into Ephemeral Objects.

The duo will perform Ephemeral Objects again on 1 March at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, University of South Alabama.