“One of the most radiantly musical of pianists, she plays with such alluring sensitivity & effortless command that one cannot help but be won over…” – International Piano
I first met Margaret Fingerhut in person when she was giving an inspirational master class to young Hertfordshire pianists at Princess Helena College, just outside Hitchin. As soon as I heard her demonstrate at the keyboard in that class, I realised straightaway that I had already heard her wonderful playing live at Luton Music, when she had first appeared here in the town in 1999.
When I discussed with her our theme of The Ties between Pupil & Teacher she warmed readily to the idea. She is herself a much sought after Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and so was able immediately to point out the connections to our theme in her fascinating nomadic programme – Bartók, Bortkiewicz and Ponce all having studied with various pupils of Liszt and to cap that there is even a suggestion that Albéniz may have had a furtive lesson with that Hungarian legend of the keyboard! In the spirit of that game of pedagogical lineage Margaret has offered her own illustrious provenance: MF→Fleisher→Schnabel→Leschetizky→Czerny→Beethoven! We are surely in for a treat…
Richard Sisson (Programme Planner)
Programme
Around the World in 88 Piano Keys
Norway Edvard Grieg – Evening in the Mountains; March of the Trolls
Switzerland Franz Liszt – Les Cloches de Genève
Italy Franz Liszt – Les Jeux d’Eaux à la Villa d’Este
Spain Isaac Albéniz – En la Alhambra; Seguidillas (Castilla)
Ukraine Sergei Bortkiewicz – Les Rochers d’Outche-Coche (from Esquisses de Crimée)
Romania Béla Bartók – Romanian Folk Dances
INTERVAL STOPOVER
Nigeria Ayo Bankole – Variations for little Ayo
Middle East Roxanna Panufnik – Babylonia (new commission supported by Dangoor Education)
USA Artie Matthews – Two Pastime Rags
Australia Peter Sculthorpe – Djilile
Mexico Manuel Ponce – Balada Mexicana
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