“He plays with an almost astonishing clarity and accuracy, with a big, expansive technique and plenty of firepower.” Seattle Times

Date and Time:
Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

Single Ticket Prices:
$10, 15, 22, 32, 40 (discounts available for seniors, youth, and groups)

Season Ticket Packages:
This concert is part of the Artist Series and Classic Artist Series season ticket packages.

Location:
Macky Auditorium

Running Time:
1.5 to 2 hours

Preconcert:
A Conversation with Andrew Cooperstock, Professor of Piano
6:45 p.m., Macky Room 102

Event Overview:
Having created a sensation on the stages of Europe, young pianist Simon Trpceski (pronounced Terp-CHESS-key) has already proven to be one of the most exciting young talents of his generation. His recording on EMI Classics’ Debut Series was praised by The Guardian (UK) as “one of the most thrilling piano discs of recent times.”

Program:
Stravinsky - 4 Studies, Op. 7
Ravel - Valses nobles et sentimentales
Busoni - Sonatina No. 6 (Chamber Fantasy after Bizet's Carmen)
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in B-flat Major, Op. 23, No. 2
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4
Rachmaninoff - Piano transcription of "Scherzo" from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Rachmaninoff - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (Revised version)

Artist Bio:
At the age of 24, Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski has already proven to be one of the most exciting young talents of his generation. Simon gave exceptional North American debut performances with the Seattle Symphony and Vancouver Recital Society in September 2002, which have already brought him great attention and acclaim. About his performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said, “Trpceski’s expressive phrasing brought out the music’s musing, dreamy character, unhurried, with each note rich and round. This was gorgeous music-making.” In the rest of the 2002/03 season, Simon Trpceski will present recitals in San Francisco and as part of the Ravinia Rising Stars series.

His recital in June 2001 at London’s Wigmore Hall resulted in unanimously excellent reviews and a host of invitations. EMI Classics asked him to record a recital disc for their Debut Series and this disc was released in May 2002. Featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, Stravinsky and Prokofiev, it has been received with great acclaim and was referred to in The Guardian (UK) as “one of the most thrilling piano discs of recent times.”

Simon has performed in concert with the Malaysian Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, and he also played Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. He has given recitals throughout the UK, including a return to the Wigmore Hall, performances at the Bath and Brighton Festivals, and dates in Southampton and Sheffield, all to great acclaim.

Elsewhere, Simon will perform with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic and Scottish Chamber Orchestras, and with the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras in Australia. He will make his London orchestral debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra in June, closing their season at the Barbican. In addition, as a member of the BBC New Generation Artists scheme, his performances will be broadcast regularly on the BBC Radio 3 and World Service.

Born in Skopje, Macedonia in 1979, Simon Trpceski has won prizes in international piano competitions in the United Kingdom (World Piano Competition 2000), Czech Republic and Italy. He is currently in his final year of studies at the Faculty of Music of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje under Professor Boris Romanov. He has performed to great acclaim in recital and with orchestras in Yugoslavia, Russia, Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Korea and France.

Links:
http://simontrpceski.mt.net.mk

Audio:
Listen to or purchase music from Simon Trpceski at Barnes&Noble.com. A portion of your purchase will be donated to CU Concerts.
 Simon Trpceski Plays Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, Stravinsky, Prokofiev