Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge
Thursday 19 February
2004
8.00pm (Tickets €20/18)
Booking 045 448333
boxoffice@riverbank.ie
The Riverbank Arts Centre in conjunction with the Gerard
Manley Hopkins International Summer School is delighted to bring one of Europe's most
distinguished pianists to Newbridge.
Hans Pålsson was born in Sweden
and studied piano in Denmark and Germany. Graduating as soloist in
1972 he has given concerts around Europe and has had over forty piano
compositions and concertos dedicated to him. In an age of narrow specialism,
P å lsson is noted for his wide range; from Bach through the
Romantics to the 20 th Century, down to the present. His programme
for this evening will include: Mozart's Sonata in A major, Schubert's ‘Impromptu', and
Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata . The performance will also
include a poetry reading by the celebrated Newbridge poet Desmond
Egan
Hans is playing in the Concert Hall in Dublin and then to the Riverbank
Arts Centre in Newbridge through the recommendation of Desmond Egan.
Desmond first heard Hans playing for the King and Queen of Sweeden
while he was there to read his poetry. He describes Hans P å lsson
as a man who became the music, he played as if there were something
at stake, and as if his life depended on it as it does where real art
is concerned.
Hans Pålsson is already a legend in the Baltic countries and
over 25 CD's have appeared so far including one featuring compositions
dedicated to him by leading contemporary composers. He has also written
a book of reflections, Music , which became a best-seller.
He brings a modern sensibility to his playing of the classics; it is
like reading a great translation a rediscovery excitingly contemporary
with no willingness to wallow in the past.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the Newbridge and Kildare
Lions club for kindly sponsoring the hire of the Steinway piano
For further information, please contact Gráinne
on (045) 448314/5
or by e-mail at artscentre@riverbank.ie
Hans Pålsson -
Pianist