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Inna Faliks, a renowned pianist and the head of UCLA’s piano department, presents a program that explores, through music, Mikhail Bulgakov’s iconic Soviet novel of art, irony, love, religion, and Faustian legend, The Master and Margarita. Faliks will perform the world premiere of two compositions that celebrate the novel and have been composed especially for this evening: Maya Miro Johnson’s Satan’s Ball, and The Master and Margarita suite for piano by Vera Ivanova. Both Faliks and Ivanova grew up in the Soviet Union. The premieres also reflect on a painting by Stanislav Molodykh in the Wende Museum’s collection that references the famous Soviet novel. The program will also include Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B Minor, an epic Faustian work.
World premieres for solo piano, composed for Inna Faliks by Vera Ivanova and Maya Miro Johnson:
“Satan’s Ball” and “Master and Margarita Suite for piano and reciting pianist”
Italian born violinist Roberto Cani, and Russian born pianist Inna Faliks, based in Los Angeles, will present a concert of virtuosic duos, including Beethoven’s glorious Kreutzer Sonata, and Ravel’s sparkling violin sonata. Let’s celebrate Inna’s return to Memphis, and the inspiration of genius composers.
A concerto usually features the virtuosity of a single performer, and we are thrilled to welcome back Inna Faliks for Mozart’s dramatic concerto! Bartok’s 20th-century masterpiece is a concerto not only for a single soloist but for the entire orchestra. It was the first of its kind since the virtuosity of the whole orchestra – including each section – is on display.
Duke Ellington’s last major work is a jazzy ballet inspired by three black kings: Balthazaar, King of the Magi, King Solomon, and Ellington’s friend, Dr. Martin Luther King.
World Premiere of Ljova’s Suite for Piano and Historical Recording
Ravel Gaspard de la Nuit, LA premieres by Paola Prestini, Timo Andres, Billy Childs
Music if Mozart and Beethoven
The ESO’s celebration of the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven will span both this season and our following 75th Diamond Anniversary season. The “Emperor” concerto marked the culmination of Beethoven’s heroic period, and will provide Inna Faliks an ESO sequel to her much praised interpretation of the Beethoven Third Concerto. The program begins with Beethoven’s final overture, a tribute to Handelian pomp and glory, and concludes with Beethoven’s most serene and lyrical symphony, the “Pastoral.”