Last chance to see Mishka Rushdie Romen and Alasdair Beatson at JW3
Two classical pianists take to the keys in a special 'four hands' performance this Sunday
It will be truly enthralling to hear Mishka Rushdie Momen and Alasdair Beatson collaborate and share one piano, following several sold-out performances at JW3. Their musical partnership has already captivated audiences and this new programme promises to be both intimate and exhilarating.
For this beautifully conceived and unusual evening on 16 November, cellist and musical curator David Waterman has selected a sequence of works that trace a journey through the expressive possibilities of piano four hands. The repertoire showcases how composers across centuries have explored the dialogue and unity that this form uniquely allows, where two musicians play together.
Franz Schubert, the pioneer of the four-hand genre, wrote some of his most radiant and profound music for this medium. His ability to balance lyricism with grandeur makes him a natural starting point for such a programme.
From there, the music moves into the world of Maurice Ravel, whose writing for piano four hands reveals his mastery of colour and subtlety. Sergei Rachmaninov was one of the greatest pianist-composers of the twentieth century and his four-hand music combines rich harmonies and rhythmic vitality.
The programme also includes a remarkable arrangement of Bach by György Kurtág, one of today’s most revered contemporary composers. Kurtág’s transcriptions render Bach’s writings timeless.
Finally, the programme celebrates two Romantic masters of four-hand writing: Johannes Brahms and Antonín Dvořák, who wrote extensively for this genre.
The evening promises a captivating journey through sound, texture, and emotion — a celebration of musical partnership.
Four Hands Piano: Mishka Rushdie Momen & Alasdair Beatson is at JW3 on 16 November at 5:30pm. Click here to buy tickets.
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