Cancelled: Leamington Music Festival: Andrey Gugnin (piano)

Winner of the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition and introduced to us last May by Tasmin Little, Andrey Gugnin is now deservedly making his name in the UK. His recently released CD of works by Shostakovich achieved universal critical acclaim – “Gugnin possesses an extraordinarily versatile and agile technique, which serves an often inspired musical imagination.” (Gramophone Magazine).

We knew that, of all Beethoven’s wonderful piano sonatas, Andrey must play the Hammerklavier for us and finding a work to pair with that mighty piece was no mean feat. But as Andrey achieved a roaring standing ovation with his astonishing performance of Pictures at an Exhibition last year, it seemed the only natural choice to give those who missed it a second chance to experience Mussorgsky’s epic work in the hands of this extraordinary Russian pianist.

Concert generously supported by Peter Glanfield