City of London Festival: Clare Hammond

Robert Saxton - Chacony for left hand alone*
JS Bach arr Brahms - Chaconne in D minor, arranged for left hand alone
Harty Portrait; Spring Fantasy
Sibelius - Five Pieces for Piano Op 75 The Trees
Robert Saxton - Piano Cycle Hortus Musicae (World première)

Pianist Clare Hammond launches our Young Artist series with a programme of works written to demonstrate the virtuosity of the piano as a solo instrument. Robert Saxon’s Chacony for left hand alone precedes Brahms’ left hand arrangement for JS Bach’s Chaconne in D Minor, both works accentuating tonality in the stripped down harmonies in the left hand. Then follows two charming short pieces by the Northern Irish compers Hamilton Harty, which were premiered by Clare Hammons around 80 years after they were composed. Reflecting on our tree theme the programme turns to Sibelius, whose love of nature was apparent in many of his works. The world première of Robert Saxton’s Piano Cycle Hortus Musicae takes us into a new ‘musical garden’, celebrating the composers’ 60th Birthday and fittingly concludes the programme.