Ludlow Arts: Classical

Ludlow Piano Festival

Friday 23 May 2025

4:30pm

Palmers' Hall, Ludlow College

Jonathan Powell: piano

Maria Szymanowska: Nocturne, Le Murmure
Chopin: Rondeau, Op.16
Chopin: Nocturne, Op.15, No.2
Chopin: 3 Mazurkas, Op.63
Chopin: Tarantella, Op.43
Paderewski: Canzona
Paderewski: Polskie tańcy, Op.9, No.2, Mazurek
Paderewski: Humoresques de concert, Op.14, Nos.2 & 6
Paderewski Sarabande and Krakowiak fantastyczny
Szymanowski: Prelude, Op.1, No.2
Szymanowski: Metopy, Op.29
Szymanowski: Etiud, Op.4, No.3
Szymanowski: Mazurkas, Op.50, Nos.1 & 2

A fascinating afternoon of music from some lesser-known Polish composers and still a little something from their inspirational compatriot, Fryderyk Chopin.

An aficionado of Russian and Eastern Europe music from the 19th and 20th centuries, pianist and composer, Jonathan Powell, made his performing debut in the Purcell Room in London at the age of 20 and has since performed widely in Europe, as well as in Russia and the US.

Jonathan embraces composers who are normally unfairly overlooked and has appeared on radio in many countries and recorded more than 20 CDs. His 2015 recording of Sorabji's Sequentia cyclia over seven discs (on Piano Classics) was rapturously received and was awarded the German Critics' Disc Prize.

His recent activities include the world première recording of rediscovered Czech composer Hans Winterberg's 1st Piano Concerto, with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. And his recording of Scharwenka's 1st Piano Concerto, with the Poznań Philharmonic was released on the CPO label in Oct 2024. Also in 2024, Powell performed Paderewski's Fantaisie Polonaise with the Mainz Symphony Orchestra and the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra in Poznań.

Masterclasses, lecture-recitals and coaching have taken Jonathan to the Janáček Academy in Brno, Hogeschool in Ghent, Oxford University, the Guildhall in London, Cornish College of Arts in Seattle and Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium in Esbjerg and Odense, Denmark.

Tickets £18 (u18 £5) from Ludlow Assembly Rooms box office HERE.