Pianist Ilya Yakushev makes Portland Piano International debut with programs spanning three centuries of pianistic delights, December 3-4
Ilya Yakushev
PORTLAND, OR – Ilya Yakushev, who has performed at major venues across the globe as both recitalist and concerto soloist, will make his Portland debut in back-to-back recitals presented by Portland Piano International (PPI) at Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland State University, on December 3 and 4, 2022.
Hailed as "one of the very best young pianists before the public today" (American Record Guide) with a "winning blend of rapturous lyricism and dramatic flair" (San Jose Mercury News), Mr. Yakushev has been honored with numerous awards, including top prizes at the World Piano Competition in Cleveland; the Young Artists Concerto Competition in the pianist's native St. Petersburg; and the Donostia Hiria International Piano Competition in San Sebastián, Spain.
Recent engagements have included appearances with the Wisconsin Philharmonic and La Crosse Symphony during the 2021–22 season and more than 30 recitals in North America and Europe during the 2019–20 season. As a soloist, Mr. Yakushev has performed concertos with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Rochester Philharmonic, and Utah Symphony.
Mr. Yakushev's discography includes two volumes of Prokofiev's piano sonatas and an all-Russian album of works by Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rachmaninoff — all of which were released on Nimbus Records. He has also self-produced and released an album of J.S. Bach's Keyboard Partitas Nos. 1–3.
Mr. Yakushev's programs for Portland Piano International are as follows.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 AT 4 PM
Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland State University
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:37
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Adagio in B Minor, K. 540
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Three Preludes, op. 23, no. 5; op. 32, no. 12; op. 3, no. 2
GEORGE GERSHWIN
Three Preludes (1926)
ALEXANDER SCRIABIN
Two Pieces, op. 9
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, op. 83
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 AT 4 PM
Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland State University
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, op. 27
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, op. 57
FRANZ LISZT
Vallée d’Obermann
Transcription of Schumann's Widmung (Dedication)
GEORGE GERSHWIN
Rhapsody in Blue
THE 2022 / 2023 SOLO PIANO SERIES
Curated by Vladimir Feltsman, PPI's 2022 / 2023 season of intimate piano recitals brings world-class artists to Portland for inspiring performances of treasured works and adventuresome new music.
Upcoming concerts this season include the following:
Ilya Rashkovskiy (January 19, 21 & 22)
Daria Rabotkina (March 23, 25 & 26)
Roman Rabinovich (May 6 & 7)
Alexander Korsantia (June 3 & 4)
On curating PPI's new season, Mr. Feltsman commented: "When I was originally asked to curate this season for PPI [for the canceled 2020 / 2021 season], I agreed immediately because I saw this as an opportunity to introduce a new generation of pianists to a discriminating and supportive audience. Two years after their initial acquaintance with PPI, they are so excited to be coming finally to Portland.
"I'm very proud to have been asked to play this role with this fine organization, and I sincerely hope that my choices for the 2022/2023 season will bring us all delight, encouragement, and much needed reassurance in uncharted times."
Tickets for Mr. Yakushev's Portland concerts on December 3 and 4 are available now at portlandpiano.org, where other details may be found including the complete season, programs, and subscription options.
The concerts on December 3 and 4 will take place on the campus of Portland State University. For COVID-19 protocols, please refer to this link: portlandpiano.org/covid-guidelines.
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HIGH-RES PHOTOS [DOWNLOAD]
PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL has presented more than 180 artists in recital and through outreach activities. Some of the greatest pianists in the world of music have played for Portland audiences because of this organization. While pianists have many opportunities to play the concerto repertoire, this is one of only a handful of recital series that remains devoted to the solo piano recital. Portland Piano International is a vital part of Portland’s quality cultural life and it has consistently garnered praise from both the local and national media, heralded a “consistently brilliant Piano Recital Series” (Willamette Week) and “one of this city’s musical treasures” (The Oregonian).