Pavel Kolesnikov

This fascinating young artist brings his creative slant to cool-hued piano works by two contrasting composers, showing the piano’s capacity for maximum magic. Known for his creative approach to playlist-style programming, the young pianist Pavel Kolesnikov brings his magical touch to the contrasting music of Mozart and Ravel. He begins by devoting the first half entirely to Mozart, drawing out the pure and streamlined qualities in the Variations on a theme by Gluck, the Adagio in F minor and the Sonata in C, K.330. In the second half Kolesnikov explores the links between these composers’ different worlds by juxtaposing their pieces. Three poised Mozart Rondos alternate with atmospheric, evocative pieces by Ravel. Oiseaux tristes and Un barque sur l’océan show the composer at his most mysterious, turning the piano into a magical paintbox of sounds, while the Menuet Antique and Pavane pour une infante défunte were strongly influenced by music from the 18th century.