Concerts in the West | Mathis Rochat and Erdem Misirlioglu

Mathis Rochat, viola
Erdem Mısırlıoğlu, piano

Programme

York Bowen  Fantasy in F Major
Brahms  Sonata in F minor No 1, Op 120

Mathis Rochat is a Swiss-french violist who is quickly gaining attention as “one of the most upcoming and creative violists of his generation” (concerti). As a soloist, Mathis has appeared with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, the Camerata Schweiz, the Norddeutsche Philharmonie and the Khirgize State Orchestra.

Praised for “his rich and subtle viola sound ” and “…a marvelous poetic imaginative power” (Bachtrack), he takes the freedom to both uncover forgotten original works and add his personal transcriptions to the viola repertoire.

Applauded by the international press for his recent album releases, L’alto Parnassien and Rachmaninoff Stories, one of which was hailed as the favorite [album] of the month by Klassik Radio, described as “convincingly eloquent, poetic and dramatic.” (MusicWeb international) and “enthralling“ by the BBC Music Magazine.

Rochat is a passionate chamber musician who frequently performs across Europe in different formations. He has appeared as a featured artist at many festivals, including Schleswig Holstein, Gstaad, Deauville, Prussia Cove and Davos Festivals, as well as Kronberg’s CMCW and Krzyzowa Music programs. Rochat has collaborated in chamber music with Fazil Say, Pinchas Zuckermann, Augustin Dumay, Christian Tetzlaff and Lynn Harrel among others.

Rochat is a devoted teacher, appointed as a professor at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp. He frequently gives masterclasses across Europe, inspired by his former teachers, including Antoine Tamestit, Tatjana Masurenko, Lars Anders Tomter and Miguel Da Silva.

https://www.mathisrochat.com/

British-Turkish pianist Erdem Misirlioglu is in demand as a solo recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist. He frequently appears in UK venues such as Barbican Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Snape Maltings and Wigmore Hall and has had numerous invitations to play across Europe, North and South America and Asia.

In 2006, Erdem was a prize-winner in the International Rachmaninov Competition for Young Pianists and in 2008 went on to win the piano section of BBC Young Musician of the Year, subsequently performing Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. In 2011, Erdem was awarded 1st prize in the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe’s intercollegiate piano competition.

A passionate chamber musician, Erdem is also a member of “Trio Isimsiz”, a piano trio formed with friends at GSMD. In 2013, they were selected by Young Classical Artists Trust for representation and in 2015, they won first prize and the audience prize in the Trondheim International Chamber Competition. They have released three CDs, which have gained wide critical acclaim.

Erdem completed his undergraduate and postgraduate courses in performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied with pianists Martin Roscoe and Ronan O’Hora. He was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Prize for the highest scoring final recital. During this time, he also enjoyed lessons with distinguished pianists including Richard Goode, Stephen Kovacevich, Lang Lang, Menahem Pressler and Andras Schiff.

 

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