Recital Series 2023-2024

Planning ahead seems to be getting ever more challenging with so many pianists from which to choose - returning artists (there are so many we would all like to hear again), new names who approach the Society and others whom we approach ourselves. This is before opportunities for engagements are introduced annually by the various Trusts supporting young musicians. We are also keen to introduce new works to our audiences.

This season fulfils these parameters, I think. We begin with solo recitals by two returning pianists, Daniel Lebhardt and Steven Osborne. Daniel first played for the Society in 2015.  He brings a fascinating and challenging programme of C19th and C20th works, including premiere performances for us of pieces by György Ligeti, whose music has not featured in any of our previous 177 recitals! Steven played for us in June 2021 – 23 years after his first performance here – and a similar gap has been avoided.

Japanese pianist Hiroaki Takenouchi will be a name little known to many of you.  As well as teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he is part of the Parnassus Duo with Simon Callaghan, who gave a solo recital here in 2020. Other “firsts” feature in his programme, with works by English composers, Percy Sherwood and Dorothy Howell. 

Alasdair Beatson and Viv McLean need no introduction.  However, we are delighted to welcome them – after several postponements - as a duo, performing gems from the repertoire of works for four hands at a single keyboard.

Romanian/Nigerian pianist Rebeca Omordia is a less familiar name in British musical circles. She brings a fascinating programme including two rarely heard works by John Ireland and pieces by Nigerian, Moroccan and Ghanaian composers.

Finally, the outstanding winner of the BBC YMOTY competition in 2018, Lauren Zhang, makes her debut here.  Described to me personally by Steven Osborne as “one of the finest young pianists I have heard in 20 years”, this will be a great way to end the season.

We continue to be grateful for commercial and personal sponsorship but additional sponsors would be most welcome. Ultimately, the life blood of any Society is dependent upon membership levels and audience numbers, so please continue to spread the word, particularly amongst the young!