Vasillis Varvaresos plays Dora Pejacevic (1885-1923)

[Rach3]

Of course !

But seriously, a recital April 28,2021 at NTR studios in Zaandam,Netherlands, by pianist Vasillis Varvaresos.Composer Pejacevic new to me, probably one-hears , but I did enjoy her Late Romantic works, especially the opening “Sehnsucht” and closing Piano Sonata. Some fine Chopin playing as well , the pianist also new to me.

The composer : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dora_Pejačević
The pianist : https://www.varvaresos.com/about

https://www.nporadio4.nl/concerten/9717 ... -pejacevic

At the Radio 4 site , you can choose individual works, dont need to listen to entire recital.

Dora Pejacevic
Phantasiestücke voor piano (6), op.17 - nr.1, "Sehnsucht"

Frédéric Chopin
Ballade voor piano nr.1, op.23

Dora Pejacevic
Blütenwirbel, op.45

Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt
Soirées de Vienne S.427, "Valses caprices d'après Franz Schubert" - nr.7, "Soirée de Vienne"

Dora Pejacevic
Walzer-Capricen (9), op.28 - nr
.1 + nr.2

Dora Pejacevic
Blumenleben, op.19 - nr.6, "Rote Nelken"

Frederic Chopin
Impromptu voor piano nr.4 (Fantaisie-impromptu), op.66

Frédéric Chopin
Nocturnes voor piano (3), op.9 - nr.1

Dora Pejacevic
Sonate voor piano, op.36

[Rach3]

I did decide to purchase mp3 downloads of the Op.36 Sonata and “Sehnsucht” from a 2-cd CPO set of her complete solo piano works.She composed in many other genres, and there are many YT’s. Her other, later Piano Sonata Op.57 is briefer and more abstract :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7eQjtaOA8E

I'll explore at YT when time permits.

[Rach3]

I'll explore at YT when time permits.

Did explore.

I confess to being a “sucker” for Late Romantic “ fin de siecle “ works , despite fact most are not intellectually taxing and exhibit an element of sameness. Her Piano Quintet is not the Franck, or Elgar, or the Schumann, but what a joy to hear. Her undeserved obscurity was to have the lot of being born a woman, and a “Dora Pejacevic” , rather than “Clara Schumann” or “Fanny Mendelssohn.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MwAYxhTAzU

While not Brahms’ Op.26 or Op.60, same for her perhaps even more delightful Op.25 Piano Quartet ( wonderful Andante and Menuetto) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=512afmGkTaQ

Her Piano Concerto : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVHHb1_ ... rt_radio=1

IF interested, the place to start ( after the 2 piano works linked earlier ) might be her Op.25 Piano Quartet, then decide if wish to explore further. I have also heard at YT her Piano Trio , Cello Sonata, but felt the above three additional works may be of more interest.

[Lance]

Hmm ... Dora Pejacevic ... I found I had a collage on CD of women composers and one piece or so had the music of Pejacevic. So her work is largely new to me. I discovered she has a lot of music recorded and available on the CPO label, none of which I have at this time. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to explore many of the items you post here. Love it!

[maestrob]

Rach3,

This all looks quite promising, and I will explore as time permits. Many thanks!

LATER:

Just finished listening to the Piano Quintet, a remarkably original work, chock-full of very interesting ideas. I noticed on amazon that CPO has embarked on a project to record Pejacevic's music, much kudos to them. I will be exploring her output over the coming days, and have ordered a two CD set of her chamber music already. Tomorrow, her Symphony.

BTW: If my modest linguistic abilities haven't failed me, I would pronounce her name correctly as "Peyachevitz."

Many thanks, Rach3!

[Lance]

I think you are right-on with the pronunciation. That's how I would have pronounced it as well.

Rach3,
BTW: If my modest linguistic abilities haven't failed me, I would pronounce her name correctly as "Peyachevitz."
Many thanks, Rach3!

[Rach3]

If you missed the Radio 4, here is a later recital video:


Wonderful programme, very fine playing, piano sound not great, but worth the hearing.

https://www.gstaaddigitalfestival.ch/vi ... arvaresos/

Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925)
Barcarolle op. 27 Nr. 1

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
L’Isle Joyeuse

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Polonaise-Fantaisie as-Moll op. 61

Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)
aus 6 Fantasiestücke op. 17:
Nr. 1: «Sehnsucht»

«Blütenwirbel» op. 45

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
aus «Soirées de Vienne», Valses-Caprices d’après Franz Schubert S. 427:
Nr. 7: Allegro spiritoso (A-Dur)

Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)
aus Walzer-Capricen op. 28:
Nr. 1: Moderato
Nr. 2: Grazioso

aus «Blumenleben» op. 19:
Nr. 6: «Rote Nelken»

Klaviersonate Nr. 1 b-Moll op. 36
Con fuoco ma non troppo allegro
Andante con molta espressione
Rondo. Allegro risoluto

Encore: Balakirev, “Islamey”

From the Festival per Google translator:

The pianist Vassilis Varvaresos can already look back on an impressive career. His first award, won at the 1998 YCA International Auditions, took him to the United States, where he was even invited to the White House to perform for President Barrack Obama. The artist, who received his PhD from the Juilliard School with a thesis on great pianists such as Horowitz, Rubinstein and Liszt and is a graduate of the Paris Conservatory (where he studied with Michel Dalberto), has also composed the music for ten films and several television series, a book and released an extremely original album entitled «V for Valse» on the Aparthé label.

Das Konzert wurde am 31. Juli 2021 live in Gstaad aufgezeichnet.

[maestrob]

Indeed this is a wonderful recital. Varvaresos deserves a wider audience. He is intensely musical with good ideas throughout. I will follow him. Many thanks!