The Complete Chopin Cycle, Concert 9: The Four Scherzi

Virtuoso British pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith, presents the ninth of eleven concerts in his remarkable Complete Chopin Cycle at St. John's Smith Square in which he will perform all Chopin’s 200+ piano solo works, from memory. Glowing reviews so far: " .. triumphantly confirmed Mailley-Smith’s Chopin credentials .. formidable technique .. breathtaking command of dynamic gradations .. wholly exceptional .. This quite memorable recital was justly rewarded with a spontaneous standing ovation .. brilliant account of the youthful G sharp minor .. subtle, atmospheric performance of the Opus 72/1 Nocturne marked by a beautifully played remote accompaniment and effortless drifts of decoration .. elegant tone and emotional refinement .. assured technique .. each (Etude)was a minor miracle, sensitively rendered and deftly delivered .. overall result was exceptionally engaging and intense .. intensely poetic: under his sensitive touch the music grew and ramified persuasively .. the Mazurkas themselves emerged pristine: he caught the sweet artlessness and abrupt mood-changes to a T .. consistently high technical and expressive standard.. his mastery of phrasing and a quite magical graduation between piano and pianissimo passages .. exceptionally well conveyed .. admirably convincing .. finely observed .. one has nothing but high praise .. outstandingly well performed .. full of considerable interpretative understanding, and possessing an organic cohesion which did full justice to Chopin’s profoundly expressive originality .."
A selection of charming Waltzes, Mazurkas and Polonaises serve to compliment the focus of this evening’s programme: four of Chopin’s greatest virtuosic powerhouses, the four Scherzi. Written over the course of a decade, Chopin produced four works of great pathos and brilliance, each complete with his unparalleled lyricism and harmonic daring.
Warren Mailley-Smith has made his solo debuts to critical acclaim at Wigmore and Carnegie Halls and has performed as concerto soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is in increasing demand as a solo concert artist, having been described by Classic FM as 'Stunning...', 'Fantastic...' 'Sensational', 'Huge UK talent...’ and by BBC Music Magazine as ‘Rising Star – Great Artist of Tomorrow”. He has received over thirty invitations to perform for the British Royal Family and has recorded ten solo CDs, the latest of which, Rhapsody in Blue, was selected as Classic FM's Disc of the Week just before Christmas 2015.
Warren studied at the Royal College of Music where he won numerous postgraduate prizes. He has studied with John Barstow, the late Ronald Smith and Peter Feuchtwanger.

Warren is currently in demand for his teaching expertise both privately and in master classes, appearing regularly on the faculties of Pro Corda and Piano Week as well as regular teaching and coaching at Royal College of Music and Trinity Junior Departments.

St John’s Smith Square is a unique concert venue: the only Baroque concert hall in the UK, historical, superb acoustic, beautiful interior with the convenience of its own bar and restaurant in the crypt.

PROGRAMME:
There will be a pre-concert event at 6.30pm
Concert starts at 7.30pm
Waltz No. 1 in E flat Op. 18

Marche Funèbre in C minor Op. 72 No. 2
Scherzo No. 1 in B flat minor
Nocturne No. 13 in C minor Op. 48 No. 1
Waltz No. 13 in D flat Op. 70 No. 3
Polonaise in B flat Op. posth.

Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 31
Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor Op. 39
Mazurka No. 41 in C sharp minor Op. 63 No. 3
Mazurka No. 42 in A minor

Mazurka No. 43 in A minor

Mazurka No. 44 in G Op. 67 No. 1
Mazurka No. 45 in G minor Op. 67 No. 2
Waltz No. 18 in E flat Op. posth.

Feuille d’album in E Op. posth.

Scherzo No. 4 in E Op. 54