Aylesbury Lunchtime Music presents

Viv McLean

16 January 2025

Starts: 12:45pm, Doors: 12:15pm

Duration: 1 hour (approx.)

£7 adults on the door (<18s & carers free)

Viv McLean

Programme

Note that Viv will play the first three Mazurkas, not all five.

  • 1883-1897

    Three Intermezzi, Op. 117 (Brahms)

    i No. 1 in E♭ major, Andante moderato, ii No. 2 in B♭ minor, Andante non troppo e con molta espressione, iii No. 3. in C♯ minor, Andante con moto

    The Three Intermezzi for piano, Op. 117, are a set of solo piano pieces composed by Johannes Brahms in 1892. They show Brahms’ interest in lullaby; in particular, Brahms told a friend that they were “three lullabies of my grief”.

    Brahms composed these pieces in the summer of 1892 while staying in Bad Ischl. In June he asked his friend, the musicologist Eusebius Mandyczewski, to send him manuscript paper so he could “properly sketch” the three pieces. In September 1892 Clara Schumann learned of the existence of the pieces and wrote to Brahms requesting he send them to her. He obliged her request, sending her the completed pieces in October 1892

  • Waltz in C Sharp Minor Op. 64 No. 2 (Chopin)

    The Waltz in C♯ minor is a piano waltz composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1847, the second work of his opus 64 and the companion to the “Minute Waltz” (Op. 64, No. 1). Chopin dedicated this Waltz to Madame Nathaniel de Rothschild.

  • Mazurkas Op. 7 (Chopin)

    No. 1 in B-flat major No. 2 in A minor No. 3 in F minor No. 4 in A-flat major No. 5 in C major

    The Mazurkas, Op. 7 are a set of five mazurkas by Frédéric Chopin. The mazurkas were mostly written in 1830–1831 and were published in 1832.

    The first mazurka, set in B-flat major and marked Vivace, is the most well-known mazurka of the set and perhaps, one of Chopin’s most popular mazurkas in general. The second mazurka of the set, A minor is an intimate piece. Despite the Vivo, ma non troppo marking, the mazurka has a slow tempo with a very delicate and melancholy main theme. The third mazurka, in F minor, has a folkish and rustic atmosphere.

  • Polonaise in C Sharp Minor Op. 26 No. 1 (Chopin)

    The Polonaise in C-sharp minor, Op. 26 No. 1 was composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1836.The Polonaise opens with a fiery Allegro appassionato in C-sharp minor, the primary theme preceded by descending octaves. The section climaxes with a series of virtuosic arpeggio figures which give way to a tender melody. This is then followed by a repetition of the theme. After this opening section, there is a new theme introduced in the enharmonic D-flat major. This new theme is then developed and followed by a new left hand melody, which increases the tension until a repeat of the meno mosso. The piece ends in abrupt quietness.

  • 1883-1897

    Rhapsodies, Op. 79 (Brahms)

    i Agitato, ii Molto passionato, ma non troppo allegro

    The Rhapsodies, Op. 79, for piano were written by Johannes Brahms in 1879 during his summer stay in Pörtschach, when he had reached the maturity of his career. They were inscribed to his friend, the musician and composer Elisabeth von Herzogenberg. At the suggestion of the dedicatee, Brahms reluctantly renamed the sophisticated compositions from “Klavierstücke” (piano pieces) to “rhapsodies”.

Performers

  • Viv McLean

    Piano

    Described by Le Monde as “possessing the genius one finds in those who know how to forget themselves“, since winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona, British pianist Viv McLean has performed in all the major venues in the UK as well as throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA.

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Key information for concert goers

When

Every Thursday at 12:45pm (except August & over Christmas). Performances last around 60 minutes. Please enter quietly as there is a noon service in the Lady Chapel.

How much?

Entry is £7 per adult (card or cash), under 18s and carers are free. The price includes a programme. Donations are welcomed to subsidise the larger ensembles.

Where?

Performances are at St Mary’s Church in the heart of Aylesbury Old Town. See directions for further details.

Do I need to book?

No, just turn up. Doors open at 12:15 pm. Make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.

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