Zlata Chochieva, piano

PROGRAM

Franck/Friedman: Prelude, Fugue and Variations Op. 18

Chopin: 12 Etudes Op. 25

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Bach/Bartók: from Trio Sonata in G major, BWV 530 - II. Lento 

Schumann: Symphonic Etudes Op. 13


ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The piano études, exemplified in this evening's program by works by Chopin and Schumann, were originally intended to train future pianists in various aspects of piano playing. However, with Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann, the genre is elevated to a full-fledged art form by virtue of a perfect synthesis of piano technical elements and musical expression.

Chopin wrote two sets of études, each of 12 études, a few years apart when he was quite young. This evening, the late set, opus 25, is on the program.

Despite his young age (Chopin was in his early 20s), the Etudes Opus 25 demonstrate an almost fearsome technical level and a remarkable musical maturity that at the same time revolutionized piano playing; important reasons why the Etudes are still played all over the world by the best pianists.

Around the same time as Chopin's Etudes, Robert Schumann wrote his Symphonic Etudes. Here too, the instrument's expressive possibilities and playing technical challenges are explored. The "symphonic" in the title refers to the almost orchestral complexity of the piano movement.

This extremely virtuosic work is not only considered to be among Schumann's most demanding piano compositions, but in the Romantic piano literature in general.

Along with these two main works, Zlata Chochieva plays César Franck's Prelude, Fugue and Variation, transcribed for piano by Ignaz Friedmann, as well as Bela Bartok's piano transcription of a movement from J.S. Bach's Trio Sonata No. 6 for organ.