The opening recital of Darlington Piano Society’s 2023-24 season, in Central Hall, the Dolphin Centre, at 3pm on Sunday 15th October, sees a return by the young Hungarian born, London based pianist, Daniel Lebhardt. Since that debut, following his success in the Young Concert Artists Trust auditions, Daniel has become a well-established solo performer, as well as a chamber music performer with fellow musicians in the Northern Chords piano trio, who played in Darlington in February this year.
Daniel’s programme can be described as substantial, challenging and exciting. It mixes the romantic period music of Brahms with pieces by later composing icons in the form of works by Scriabin, Bartok and Ligeti. Listeners should not be daunted by the challenge, says Greg Johnson, Society chairman. The two Etudes by Ligeti form part of his three books of Etudes written between 1985 and 2001 and have been described by the American pianist Jeremy Denk as “a crowning achievement of his career and of the piano literature; though still new, they are already classic”. This is the first time that works by Ligeti have been performed at the Society and their inclusion in the programme is a fitting tribute in the centenary of his birth in 1923.
The recital takes place in Central Hall, the Dolphin Centre, at 3pm on Sunday 15th October. Details of the full programme are available at www.dpiano.co.uk. where season tickets and individual tickets can be purchased. Tickets are also available at the door on the day, price £15, with under 21’s free.