Prokofiev Sonatas III

Some of the most varied and dazzling piano works of the twentieth century - a rare opportunity to hear Prokofiev's sonata masterpieces in sequence.Prokofiev's brilliant third sonata, composed in 1917, premiered by the composer a year later, originated as a student composition which was radically revised to achieve the driving energy & unity of its published form.

Boris Berman notes this work's effective romantic climax, pianistic writing and detailed motivic development, are achieved without the sarcastic or ironic tone of so many early works of Prokofiev - including the second sonata - indeed such expressive means are simply not part of the sonata's vocabulary.An equally brilliant and expressive single movement work, Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy opens this concert, a soulful, surging journey at the heart of the romantic movement.

The multi-layered poise of Fauré's late piano compositions and the poetry of two Rachmaninov preludes set Prokofiev's third sonata in a contemporary context - and demonstrate its originality.Programme: Prokofiev, Sonata no 3; Schubert, Wanderer Fantasy; Fauré, Nocturne 11; Barcarolle 10 & 11; Rachmaninov, Preludes op 23/7 & 10