Events

Haydn Sonata in D major Hob. 37
Beethoven Rondo a capriccio, op. 129
Brahms Six Pieces for Piano, op. 118

Interval

Schubert Impromptus op. 142, nos. 2 and 4
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody nos. 12 and 13

Her technical prowess and ability to negotiate Liszt’s showy grandeur is a given, but her sense of his inner world, his wistful, nonchalant poetry…. sets her apart as one to watch.’ Fiona Maddocks, The Observer.

Georgian pianist Mariam Batsashvili gained international recognition on winning the 2014 Liszt Piano Competition. As a BBC New Generation Artist 2017-2019 she performed around the UK including her debut at the BBC Proms with Ulster Orchestra. Last season saw her return to Wigmore Hall and Klavier-Festival Ruhr, her recital debut at de Singel Antwerp, and her orchestral debut with Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.

Liszt had the idea for the Rhapsodies when he returned to Hungary and heard the gipsy bands. Mariam performed nos. 10 and 14 in the 2023 SJE Arts Piano Series, this time she fills in the gap with nos. 12 and 13. No. 12 in C minor weaves five different ‘folk’ themes and is well known; in contrast no. 13 in A minor isn’t often performed, which is strange since it is one of the most interesting.  Brahms’ opus 118 is his last set of Pieces for Piano, written towards the end of his life for his very dear friend, the by then elderly Clara Schumann. The bland titles of the six pieces – Ballade, Romance and most commonly, Intermezzo – hide music of great depth and beauty. It will be lovely to hear them from a pianist who is known for her sensitivity.

Watch Mariam playing a Liszt-Schubert transcription: