Kirill Gerstein & Friends

Kirill Gerstein and his musical friends travel from France to Armenia, in a revelatory recital from one of our most imaginative piano virtuosos.

The Programme

‘Gather impressions’, said Claude Debussy, ‘but don’t be in a hurry to write them down’. Some music yields its secrets in ways that you don’t expect, and only in the most sympathetic hands. Exquisite miniatures by Debussy form a fascinating counterpoint with the songs and dances of the great Armenian priest and composer Komitas in a concert that blurs musical boundaries – and opens up wonderful new horizons.

The Performers

But what else would you expect from a concert series curated by Kirill Gerstein – a virtuoso pianist who thinks differently, and who’s never more himself than when being inspired by his many musical friends? Pianist Katia Skanavi and the ‘fabulous’ (Le Figaro) Armenian soprano Ruzan Mantashyan are his collaborators today, in a concert of music that crosses times and cultures but always speaks directly to the imagination.

Recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3

Please note that these events are recorded for broadcast. We are grateful to all of our audience members for ensuring that noise and disturbance are kept to a minimum, and for switching off phones and devices.

Header image © Marco Borggreve