Charismatic Matei Varga, beloved Romanian-American piano wizard, “the true heir of an incomparable pianistic tradition that includes Dinu Lipatti and Clara Haskil" (The Enescu Festival News), makes a triumphant comeback to the RCI program with a collection of irresistible scores that highlight his stunning ability and sensible touch.
PROGRAM:
George Enescu – Adagio from Suite no. 1
Claude Debussy – Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (from “Children’s Corner”)
Frederic Chopin – Revolutionary Etude and Three Ecossaises
Ernesto Lecuona – Al Fin Te Vi, Andalucia, Yo Te Quiero Siempre, Danza Lucumi
George Gershwin – I’ve Got Rhythm
Andrei Tudor – Rondo alla Crazy (world premiere)
Matei Varga’s artistry has garnered superlative reviews from critics around the world, who have found his performances “magical” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), as well as “colorful, vivacious [and] engaging” (Le Diapason). A top prizewinner at the Maria Canals and George Enescu piano competitions, Matei has appeared as a soloist and recitalist in many of the world’s leading concert halls, among them Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, and the Auditorium du Louvre and Salle Gaveau in Paris. His latest recording, released in 2018 by Sono Luminus and titled Early Departures, was praised by BBC Music Magazine as “poignant [and] delightful” and by Gramophone’s critic Jed Distler as “a beautifully executed and engineered achievement that does [Varga] proud.” Matei Varga holds degrees from the Romanian National University of Music and the Mannes School of Music. He lives in New York City and is on the faculty of the International Keyboard Institute and Festival as well as Project Manager and Artistic Advisor of the Vendome Prize Piano Competition at the Verbier Festival.
Photo © Daniel D'Ottavio