The following description was submitted by the event organizer.
With his "winning blend of rapturous lyricism and dramatic flair" (San Jose Mercury News), Ilya Yakushev marks his PPI debut with a fascinating program that unites Classical elegance and fiery modernism.
DEC 3rd:
The sunny opening trills and music-box precision of Haydn's Sonata in D Major contrast with Mozart's shadowy Adagio in B Minor, a meditative work that weeps with melancholy. And on the second half, Yakushev brings his vibrant, characterful interpretations of 20th-century masterworks to the stage — from the menacing militarism of Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7 to Gershwin's Three Preludes, which seamlessly integrate the lush harmonies of European Romanticism with the spiky rhythms of American jazz.
DEC 4th:
"One of the very best young pianists before the public today" (American Record Guide), Ilya Yakushev employs his captivating artistry and performance style in two of Beethoven's most treasured sonatas: the "Moonlight" and the "Appassionata," works of raw expression that spin their mysterious opening passages into epic musical journeys.
A pair of Liszt works showcase the splendor of the Romantic spirit, both evocative outpourings of love that heave with intensity. And Gershwin's glorious Rhapsody in Blue — heard in its dazzling version for solo piano — gives Yakushev endless opportunities to showcase both the soulful and puckish sides of his personality.