Classical and Jazz: Preview - Pianist Akiko Kitagawa at Burgh House on August 21
Published: 18 August, 2011
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
HIGHLY distinguished Japanese pianist Akiko Kitagawa (pictured), professor of piano at the Tokyo University of the Arts, is playing a fundraiser for Burgh House, Hampstead, at its New End Square premises on Sunday afternoon.
Although she’s given recitals and played in concerts all over the world, this performance marks her debut in the capital.
It’s been prompted by friends in London keen to hear her while she’s visiting her daughter, who lives in Primrose Hill.
She’ll be playing Mozart’s sonata no 13 in B flat major, K 33; Beethoven’s six variations in F major,
op 34; and four Chopin pieces, including his four Mazurkas op 30, impromptu no 2 in F sharp major
and Fantaisie in F minor, op 49.
“I have given two complete cycles of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in Tokyo to mark important phases in my career and I will perform another cycle this winter,” she says.
“Chopin’s piano works have always been loved by pianists all over the world, including myself. Fascinatingly, each time I play Chopin’s music, I always make new discoveries.
“Burgh House has a wonderful Bluthner grand piano in their beautiful and intimate salon and I hope to bring out the beauty of these masterpieces.”