Simon Trpceski
Originally uploaded by Duchenj.
If you haven't already. Simon is one of the greatest young pianistic talents I've ever heard. He's 26 and hails from Skopje, Macedonia. About five years ago he shot to fame - like so many others - by NOT getting first prize in a piano competition (London) where most people thought he should have. Since then his reputation has been more than consolidated by such things as inclusion in the BBC Radio 3/Wigmore Hall New Generations programme and performances and recordings that receive rave reviews. He'd blown my socks off a couple of times - I think he plays Pletnev's transcription of The Nutcracker better than Pletnev - and when I interviewed him for PIANIST Magazine's latest issue I discovered he was also one of the most charming, engaging, warm, natural and unpretentious musicians I'd come across.
Sounds excessive? Then just hear him play. Yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Hall he gave a recital of works that he'd told me were all new to his repertoire - Brahms Op.117 and one piece from Op.118, Scriabin's Second Sonata and both books of Debussy's Images. The Brahms was very slow but hypnotically beautiful, with exquisite tonal control and a powerful inwardness that you don't expect from an otherwise extrovert youngster. The Scriabin drew on the music's gentler, Chopinesque aspects, with perfect clarity and power that didn't make sensitivity concede - and proved that you don't have to go nuts with Scriabin as so many do. The Debussy was to die for: I can't imagine it played more beautifully (and I've played Book II myself so tend to pick holes in it whenever possible!). Meanwhile, he'd played Shostakovich's First Piano Concerto with the LPO on Friday evening and is doing so again on Wednesday - fab ensemble with Vladimir Jurowski and an atmosphere as if everyone was having tremendous fun. That's what orchestral concerts should be about but unfortunately often aren't. If you can get to the QEH on Wednesday 7th, GET THERE.
The photo above is by Jillian Edelstein and is printed with my article in PIANIST.
UPDATE, Tuesday 1pm: Here's Robert Maycock's review of the LPO/Jurowski/Trpceski concert from today's Independent.
6 comments:
I was at the LPO on Saturday, and it was, in fact, wonderful. Trpceski was great, and did a terrific job of driving the Shostakovich along; it ends up in a very different place from where it began after all. Plus there was the trumpet. It's always a pleasure to see the second violinists sucking on smiles when the horn comes tooting in over the piano. The band's offering up a smattering of Arvo Part this Saturday. Should be interesting.
Mike Goldstein
www.nimbletread.com
I heard Trpceski in Atlanta a couple of years ago and yes, he is amazing. I wish he had played Brahms at that recital. Perhaps he'll record some.
How does one pronounce his name?
With difficulty.....
Try TRIP-CHES-SKI
Trpceski is a great person, and showed himself as a great friend. I have high respect for him. The name on Macedonian is TRPCESKI and should be pronounced TERP-CHESS-KEY
Simon e najdobar!!!
(Simon is the best!!!)
Jessica,
I've followed your blog for sometime now, and have it linked to my own (too bad it's all in Macedonian), but never researched enough to figure out who you were :) Nevertheless, I just came home with Simon's newest CD, Images - Debussy and googled around to see what "experts" had to say and stumbled upon this post of yours.
I am strucked about your line regarding his performance of Debussy - I for some reason have been (un)fortunate enough to always see him perform his strongest interpretations in my opinion (the russians) and in the 15 plus concerts I've attended, the repertoaire for some reason has included them. I always longed and still do, to hear him perform Debussy... for now I have the CD - (I recommend it) - until next time, when I hope it will be on the table.
I am not a trained musician, so excuse the unisightful language. It's just that I am glad to see that one of my favorite classical music reads has been impressed by my friend as much as I have been ever since he was 15.
Best,
A Macedonian in DC
p.s. Last name is pronounced Trp-chess-ski
First name is not Simon as the Brits pronounce it (as in Simon Cowell) but See-mon!
Cheers!
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