David Dalle
Thursday July 18th, 2013 with David Dalle
Marc-Andre Hamelin: A survey

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin is a tremendous force in classical music, a perfect union of astounding, insightful musicianship and an extraordinary curiosity into the countless obscure corners of the piano repertoire. Inspired by his father, an amateur pianist who knew and loved much obscure 19th century piano music, he has brought into the classical mainstream incredible, though nearly completely forgotten music, by composers such as Alkan, Medtner, Godowsky. However, he has refused to pigeonhole himself as only a performer of rare music, he serves the ideal of music, with masterful performances and recordings of music by Mozart, Bach, Liszt, Brahms, Schumann, and championing the less well-known piano music of Haydn. He also looks to music of the 20th century with Kapustin, Rzewski, Ives, Grainger and many more. Finally, and not least, he works as a composer himself, composing music which reflects on several centuries of music. Those passionate about music and the piano as far-reaching instrument of the soul, must be grateful for all his work. Marc-André Hamelin will be performing a magnificent program at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival on July 27th, with three grand, impassioned sonatas, Haydn's c minor, Scriabin's 3rd in f# minor, Medtner's 7th in e minor. More information at www.chamberfest.com