Louis Lortie Recital

French-Canadian pianist Louis Lortie is set to shine in solo recital which will see him celebrate the work of composers Scriabin and Fauré. He’s a player of great reputation, having recorded over thirty discs for prestigious Classical label Chandos Records, winning prizes at both the Leeds Competition and the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition along the way.
The programme’s an intriguing one: the Russian Romanticism of Scriabin and the French early modernism of Faure are rarely sat side by side despite emanating from the same time – the latter part of the nineteenth century, and early twentieth century. But interestingly, in hearing the solo piano work of the two, we’ll hear two very distinct, but equally wonderful responses to a mutual influence: Frederic Chopin. Both composers heralded the Polish composer as a major inspiration, and all the work we’ll hear owes a huge debt to him.
The Scriabin Preludes are beautiful. A collection of miniature pieces, sometimes as small as thirty-five seconds long, which radiate delicate beauty. The first set of 24 were written in the course of eight years between 1888-96, and were modelled directly on Chopin’s set of 24, which followed the same tonal structure. His set of 5, which close the concert, were amongst the last things the composer created. His wife considered them his very best. 
But it's Faure's 9 Preludes, of 1908-1909, that we're most excited about. One critic said they're 'among the subtlest and most elusive piano pieces in existence'. Their sound is beguiling and beautiful.
The night promises to balance virtuosity and intimacy, the perfect blend in any solo concert.