"Every note is important, but there is something as important as the notes, it is the soul, the extraordinarily precious spark. The soul is the source of the highest expressions of music" Sergei Rachmaninoff
The short time, a moment when one lives the present moment intensely, when finally the "prelude" initially intended to be played before a more substantial piece becomes itself the centre of attention, more than "preludes", they are at once virtuoso studies (Prelude op. 32 No. 4, No. 13), gentle romances (Op. 32 No. 5, 11, Op. 23 No. 6), nocturnes (Op. 23 No. 10), stories with a magical, poignant, tragic discourse and unadulterated romantic evocation. Of course, Rachmaninov was inspired by the genius of Chopin, his 24 Preludes (think of his Variations on a theme of Chopin op. 22, opus that precedes the book of Preludes op. 23). Rachmaninov also conceived, without logic, the use of all the minor and major keys: indeed we pass from a dramatic episode, real bells exploding (op. 3 n°2) to the infinite sweetness of certain preludes (op. 32 n°5), between dreaminess and passion, the journey to post-romantic Russia is assured.
RACHMANINOV
The complete works 24 Preludes (1h20)
Possibility to play a selection of the Preludes (1h)
Example of a suggested programme (80 min):
Prelude, op. 3 n°2 (1892)
10 Preludes, op. 23 (1901-1903)
13 Preludes, op. 32 (1910)
Un récital de piano plein de vie.
(...) Fanny Azzuro est une interprète superbe, avec un jeu sensible et néanmoins énergique.
(...) Au piano, elle est toute en retenue, en même temps que puissante et délicate. Pas de gestes démesurés, pas de manières, non, une femme naturelle, une musicienne qui respire la musique et la vit pleinement, sans avoir besoin de manifestations extérieures. Tout est en elle.
‘Recording the complete Preludes is like painting notes with an unlimited palette of sound!’ writes pianist Fanny Azzuro in the notes to her debut album for Rubicon. ‘Playing this music is exhilarating. The danger is that you lose control of your emotions and yield to the temptation to pile on the pathos in music that is so naturally expressive…’
There are a number of dates and recitals to look forward to at the start of the year: first in the Drôme (Sérénades en baronnies festival in France), then as part of the music season at the Abbey aux Dames auditorium, before returning to the excitement of La Folle Journée in Nantes (FR)!
