Palace Music: Beethoven Piano Sonatas
IRINA ZAHHARENKOVA – fortepiano
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1
Allegro
Adagio
Menuetto – Allegretto
Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2 No. 2
Allegro vivace
Largo appassionato
Scherzo. Allegretto
Rondo. Grazioso
Intermission
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3
Allegro con brio
Adagio
Scherzo. Allegro
Allegro assai
Outstanding Estonian pianist Irina Zahharenkova performs the complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas on a fortepiano in the historic atmosphere of Kadriorg Palace.
Irina Zahharenkova is one of the most beloved and internationally successful Estonian pianists, whose performances are characterized by a strongly personal style, natural musicality, and masterful piano handling. Her delicate and stark passion elevates everything she performs. Her performances at a high artistic level possess a transcendental dimension and wholeness. When Irina sits down at the piano, the music flows effortlessly and naturally from her fingers, captivating listeners completely.
She has won top prizes at several international competitions: the Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig (2006), the A. Casagrande Competition in Italy (2006), the George Enescu Competition in Romania (2005), and others. In Estonia, she drew significant attention at the VI Estonian Pianists’ Competition (2002), where she received a diploma, the ERSO prize, and the audience’s fervent support.
Irina Zahharenkova studied piano at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under Prof. Lilian Semper and at the Sibelius Academy under Prof. Hui-Ying Liu Tawaststjerna. Zahharenkova has recorded Bach’s Goldberg Variations and an album of Scarlatti sonatas for the Moscow label Classical Records, as well as many other works for piano.
Kadriorg Palace is one the most well known and beautiful historic concert halls in Estonia offering memorable music experiences already for many decades. The tradition of performing music in the baroque palace goes back to 18th century when court music accompanied the daily life. The palace has had the pleasure to welcome many international artists and ensembles for outstanding performances.
The construction of the Kadriorg Palace was started by the Tsar Peter the Great of Russia in 1718. It was named Catharinenthal (in Estonian Kadriorg) in honour of his wife Catherine I. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Nicola Michetti and its abundantly decorated main hall is one of the most exquisite examples of baroque architecture both in Estonia and in northern Europe.
Kadriorg Palace has always been the crown jewel of Tallinn. The small festive tsars’ palace in the style of Roman Baroque, surrounded by a regular garden, with fountains, hedges and flowerbeds, planned after the model of Versailles.
The palace was a summer residence of Russian emperors untill 1917. In the 1920s, and again in 1946-1991 palace served as the main building of the Art Museum of Estonia. In the 1930s, it was the residence of the Head of State of the Estonian Republic. In 2000, it was opened as the Kadriorg Art Museum, which displays the largest collection of old Russian and Western European art in Estonia.
Music has been performed in the palace halls since the 18th century. In the past few decades, the most brilliant Estonian and international musicians have delighted listeners in the palace. Regular concerts started to take place in the Kadriorg Palace again in 2014, when the museum launched the Palace Music Concert Series. The extraordinary acoustics and the magnificent interior of the main hall make every concert a truly enjoyable artistic experience.
The artistic director of the Palace Music Concert Series is Aare Tammesalu.
In cooperation of the Art Museum of Estonia.
Tickets are on sale at the Kadriorg Art Museum and Piletikeskus outlets.
Supporters: Estonian Ministry of Culture, The Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian
