Russian Masterpieces to be focus of season finale

The music of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and other significant Russian composers will resound in Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall on Saturday afternoon, as pianist Dmitry Rachmanov makes his premiere appearance in the pro series. Currently the chair of the piano department at California State University, Northridge, Professor Rachmanov is a busy recitalist as well as soloist who has appeared in prestigious European and North American halls.

Following his studies – first at Moscow’s Gnesins School, then at The Juilliard School, and at the Manhattan School of Music, from where he obtained a Doctorate in Musical Arts – Dr. Rachmanov has enjoyed a varied career that has included recording, collaborating with ensembles along with adjudicating and teaching. He has been lauded for his performances and dedication to the music of his homeland. His contributions have included the American premiere of the Piano Sonata by Boris Pasternak, which was broadcast across the United States on the NPR network. Previously, he was on faculty at his alma mater, the Manhattan School of Music as well as Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Long Island Conservatory, and SUNY.

“The 2015-2016 pro series has given us such a wide range of programmes and this recital will end the season on a more traditional note,” said Acting Dean of Music, Greg Gatien. “I look forward to Professor Rachmanov’s performance as he explores pieces our audience seldom has a chance to hear live and more so, played by a musician who shares his musical roots with the composers.”

The first half of Professor Rachmanov’s programme is wide-ranging: Tchaikovsky’s Lullaby, Humoresque Op. 10 and Rêveries du soir, Op. 19, Rubinstein’s Romance in E-flat Major, Arensky`s An der Quelle, Blumenfeld’s Moment lyrique in E-flat Minor, Lyadov’s Barcarolle, and Rachmaninoff`s Four Preludes Op. 32. The entire second half, however, is dedicated to works by Scriabin, including the Five Preludes, Op. 11.

The recital begins on Saturday at 3 p.m., in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, located in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, at Brandon University. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and BU alumni, and $10 for Conservatory students, and will be available at the door or in advance at the School of Music main office.

This year, the pro series will present an additional, special recital featuring Grammy Award and multiple Juno Award-winning violinist, James Ehnes. That event, in which pianist Andrew Armstrong will collaborate, is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2016. Tickets for this recital in the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium are specially priced at $25 for adults, $20 for students, seniors and alumni, and $15 for Conservatory students. These tickets are not included in the pro series subscriptions and must be purchased through the WMCA box office.

The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of Manitoba, through a Consolidated Arts Programming Grant through Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Please note that seating in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is limited and that programmes are subject to change. For up-to-date listing of pro series performances and other events at the School of Music, please visit brandonu.ca/music/events.

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