The title Found Objects / Sound Objects of this new Hyperion CD is a nice way to describe pianist Marc-André Hamelin’s intention to bring together seven composers, including himself, to demonstrate the full range of what a piano can produce in terms of variations and colorful atmospheres.
Read MoreThis fascinating programme begins with Ruth is Sleeping, originally written by Frank Zappa for the Synclavier sampling keyboard and later arranged by Ali N Askin for two pianists at either one or two keyboards. Its rhapsodic figurations relentlessly hover between tonality and atonality without committing to either camp, and only occasionally find points of respite. Compared to the strong personality characterising Zappa’s ultra-sophisticated and unclassifiable ‘pop’ (for lack of a better word) output, I’ve often found his ‘serious’ through-composed works to be academic and frankly anonymous. Yet Marc-André Hamelin’s joyful and cogent interpretation obviously revels in Zappa’s formidable keyboard challenges, as well as the similarly discursive though thicker textures throughout Salvatore Martirano’s Stuck on Stella.
Read MoreFor most pianists, Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” or Maurice Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit would be challenge enough to anchor a recital. Not so for Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin, who presented a formidable solo program at Davies Symphony Hall on Sunday night, tackling both of these monumental works along with Schumann’s Waldszenen.
Read MoreMarc-André Hamelin, OC, OQ, needs little in the way of introduction to any fan of Western classical music. The Canadian virtuoso is renowned for his technical mastery of even the most difficult of works. He’s been nominated for a GRAMMY Award no less than 11 times, and teaches on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music.
Read MoreCanadian Marc-André Hamelin stands out from his generation, as both a highly accomplished pianist and composer and, remarkably, an artist, who boldly promotes not only the standard repertoire but also compositions of lesser-known composers, often from the last century or so
Read MoreIf you’re out to impress with your debut piano recital in a new city, there’s no better way than with an attempt on Beethoven’s Himalayan Hammerklavier Sonata, Op. 106.
At 62, and with 60-odd albums under his belt for the prestigious label Hyperion, Canadian virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin is firmly established in the top echelon of the world’s classical pianists, so he has no need to impress. But impress he does with this opening half of his Sydney Symphony International Pianists in Recital Series concert in the stunning acoustic of the City Recital Hall.
Read MoreOn Tuesday evening, the Tbilisi State Conservatoire hosted a performance by Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin as part of the 2025 edition of Tbilisi Piano Fest. The appearance of a figure long respected for his analytical clarity and technical control lent a measured gravity to the festival’s opening, which otherwise leans toward showcasing virtuosity and international appeal.
Read MoreIn some sense, the dumka is at the heart of nearly all of Dvořák’s music. That poetic opposition between melancholy lyricism and rhythmic exuberance is certainly what fuels his Op 81 Piano Quintet – and Marc-André Hamelin and the Takács Quartet make the most of it.
Read MoreThe celebrated Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin has teamed up once again with the acclaimed Takács Quartet for a new recording that pairs chamber works by Florence Price and Antonín Dvořák—two composers whose music, despite coming from different continents, shares a deep expressive kinship.
Read MoreFlorence Price’s Piano Quintet in A minor, composed in the mid-1930s, is yet another gem from the treasure trove of forgotten Price manuscripts discovered in 2009. The premiere recording was released by the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective only four years ago, but this new one, by the chamber-music dream team of the Takács Quartet and pianist Marc-André Hamelin, offers a different slant, placing the work more firmly in the classical tradition of the Dvořák with which it is paired.
Read MoreHamelin: New Works was named “5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now” by The New York Times.
Read MoreThe Roaring Twenties was an age of dramatic social and economic change, fabulous fashion, and of course, great music. A century onwards, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal celebrated the 1920s with Montreal native Marc-André Hamelin on keys and Rafael Payare conducting in an evening of jazz, swing, and ragtime tunes popularized by the era.
Read MoreThe award-winning pianist will be in Ottawa two nights, performing Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the NAC orchestra. CBC’s Sandra Abma attended a rehearsal.
Read MoreHaving reviewed Marc-André Hamelin many times, I fear I have depleted my repertoire of superlatives for this amazing man: one of the most inspirational and inspired musicians of any ilk. I own at least a dozen of his recordings; these have given me, not just pleasure, but also a much deeper appreciation of the featured composers.
Read MoreThis past Thursday at Centro Culturale Chiasso, the world-famous pianist Marc-Andrè Hamelin gave a recital with some well-known pieces and some of his “pet project” composers like Medtner. We could listen to a classical opening, in the form of Rondò in A minor K.511 from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A Sonata no. 3 in C major op. 2 no. 3, an early sonata of Beethoven. After a short break, some Nicolai Medtner was played. From Three Morceaux, op. 31, no. 1: “Improvisation. Andantino, gracile,” and from Forgotten Melodies, op. 38, no. 3: “A Festive Dance.” The concert finished with real fireworks by Sergei Rachmaninoff: Etude-Tableau op. 39 no. 5 and the ponderous Sonata no. 2 in B♭ minor, op. 36 (1931).
Read MoreThe Canadian pianist talks about the challenges and the joys of recording this mammoth piano sonata
Read MoreThe Tbilisi Piano Festival 2024 commenced with an enthralling performance by the acclaimed pianist Marc-André Hamelin at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire. The evening’s repertoire, carefully curated, showcased a fascinating journey through diverse eras and styles, from the early 19th century to the early 20th century, highlighting Hamelin’s virtuosity and interpretive depth.
Read MoreHamelin: New Works was named “5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now” by The New York Times.
Read MoreAll of Marc’s albums are available on all streaming platforms!
Read MoreThe jaunty theme from Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 has long provided a musical diving board: composers from Brahms to Beamish have plunged the melody beyond the violinist’s own brilliant variations. Rachmaninov’s rhapsodic experiment furthered the work’s pianistic possibilities; that dramatic lyricism is matched by Marc-André Hamelin’s grittier 2011 set, recorded for the first time here by the composer. The original melody is sharpened by rapid development; the tonality is ultimately discoloured by cluster chords and flitting harmonies.
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