“Sparks of Music” Concert for two pianos Works for four and eight hands -

 “Sparks of Music”
Concert for two pianos
Works for four and eight hands
 
The Piano Quartet
Natalia Lezedova, Nina Ioannidou, Ivelina Ruseva and Galina Dimova
 
The Piano Quartet, comprised of Natalia Lezedova, Nina Ioannidou, Ivelina Ruseva, and Galina Dimova, will be performing their concert "Sparks of Music" on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 19:00 at the Markideio Theatre in Paphos. The quartet specializes in presenting masterpieces for four and eight hands on two pianos.
 
The quartet was formed after a successful collaboration during the "Winter Festival" in Paphos in 2017, where the musicians discovered a shared expressive style. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to a multicultural repertoire, encompassing works for four, six, and eight hands. Since then, they have given notable performances at various venues, including the Technopolis 20, ARTE Music Academy, Rialto Theatre in Limassol, Pallas Theatre in Nicosia, Markideio Theatre in Paphos and the Cyprus Wine Museum. Their last concert was within the framework of The Piano Tour, organised by the Avantgarde Foundation. It was held with great success in June 2023, around the area of the sea caves in Pegeia, and at the same time it was broadcast live on the internet.
 
The programme includes transcriptions for eight hands, such as the overture by Mikhail Glinka' Ruslan and Ludmila, Waltz from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, William Gillock's Champagne Toccata and Astor Piazzolla's iconic work Escualo. Additionally, the quartet commissioned Greek composer Dimitris Tsoukas for a special arrangement of Manos Hadjidakis' songs, for eight hands on two pianos. The programme also features arrangements for four hands, showcasing pieces from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker suite, a transcription of the Cypriot composer Nicolas Economou, Arno Babajanian's "Armenian Rhapsody", a selection from Richard Rodney Bennett's Four Piece Suite, the Prelude from Suite for two pianos, op.6 by Dmitri Shostakovich and "La nuit... L'amour" from Suite No. 1 Op. 5 (Fantaisie-Tableaux) for two pianos by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Finally, Natalia Lezedova's composition, "The Bumblebee Dance," will have its world premiere during the concert.
 
The Piano Quartet was formed to counteract the solitary nature of piano preparation. The members emphasize the collaborative aspect of their performances, where all pianists are equal, sharing the spotlight and working together to create a rich and balanced sound. There are many examples of great pianists who have pursued collaborations with other pianists in their careers, with Nicolas Economou's ground-breaking collaboration on 1983's "On Four Pianos" being a prime example.
 
The upcoming concert promises not only an aural delight but also a visually captivating experience. The quartet encourages audiences not to miss the opportunity to witness the orchestral sound produced by one hundred and seventy-six black and white keys, played by four talented pianists on two pianos.
 
Sponsors: Aristo Developers, Droushiotis Certified Public Accountants
Supporter: Municipality of Paphos

Venue:
Markideio Theatre
Address:  Paphos
Telephone No.:  70002420

Start date/End date:   24 February 2024

Start time/End time:  19:00

Entrance Price/Τicket: €15 / €10 (students)
Reservations essential at 70002420