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Brazilian pianist Rodolfo Faistauer will open the 2024/5 season of the Fanny Davies International Piano Series at St James and Alderney’s Island Hall.
His recitals on Wednesday 9 October in Guernsey and Thursday 10 October in the Anne French Room in Alderney are his first in the Bailiwick.
Pictured: Rodolfo Faistauer.
A love of nature, in life and in the works of his favourite composers, will appeal to local audiences and stand him in good stead for his informal 'meet the artist' chats.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the incredibly inspiring nature around the island,” Rodolfo said.
“The music I chose to play, particularly Beethoven and Schubert, is very much connected to nature. One can learn a lot from nature when searching for the needed simplicity and directness present in this music.
“I also enjoy getting to know new audiences and sharing ideas with them during and after the concert.”
Rodolfo’s programme includes pieces by Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos, CPE Bach, Schubert and Beethoven.
Bach’s Rondo in C minor Wq. 59/4 will open the first half, followed by Beethoven’s Bagatelles Op. 126 and Sonata in A-flat major Op. 110.
Rodolfo will then start the second half with Brazilian Soul by Villa-Lobos before playing Schubert’s Sonata in A, D. 959.
Villa-Lobos’ 1929 piece Chôros No. 5 explores Brazilian musical identity and is one of the composer’s most popular piano pieces. It blends folk and avant-garde techniques, and reflects his connection with Brazil’s culture as well as his impact on the development of modernism in music.
Rodolfo is also running workshops with local piano students on the Wednesday afternoon at St James. These are free for listeners to attend.
Rodolfo is currently Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano at Whitman College, having earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from Northwestern's Bienen School of Music as a student of James Giles. He lectures and gives masterclasses at universities around the world, as well as adjudicating at local and state piano competitions.
Pictured: Rodolfo Faistauer.
“In a masterclass, I try to get a sense of the student’s strong qualities and how it relates to one or two important aspects that can be improved,” he explained.
“I hope to bring a new concept or new angle to something that they can bring home and explore by themselves. For this to work, I hope students come with an open mind and curiosity to try new things with their repertoire.”
Rodolfo performs solo recitals and chamber music concerts in Europe and North and South America.
He spent the summer as Artist in Residence at the Brahms House in Baden-Baden, Germany, at the invitation of the Brahms Society. He performed solo and four-hand recitals in France and Germany as part of this.
He is a recipient of fellowships from various musical and cultural institutions, including the Gilmore Piano Festival, Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards, and Région Alsace in France.
Rodolfo takes a keen interest in the works of lesser-known composers, a passion he shares with FDIPS co-founder and Guernsey-born pianist Tom Hicks.
He loves performing and promoting music by Brazilian composers. In partnership with the Brazilian Piano Institute, he recently made the first world recording of the works of Lucília Villa-Lobos, wife of Heitor Villa-Lobos and a forgotten composer and pianist.
His recital will showcase pieces he’s particularly interested in.
“This programme includes some of the music that is closest to me,” he said.
“I feel very close to Beethoven and Schubert, and my personal path as a musician led me to explore this musical tradition in particular.
“Villa-Lobos complements the Brazilian side of my background, bringing both the longing and festive elements so much present in Brazilian culture.”
Tom and his FDIPS co-founder Alan West are pleased to bring Rodolfo to Bailiwick audiences.
“We’re so excited to welcome Rodolfo Faistauer to the Fanny Davies International Piano Series,” Hicks said. “His recital promises an eclectic array of music from Beethoven and CPE Bach to the Brazilian soul of Villa-Lobos.
“Come along and enjoy the magic of live music, and please feel welcome to mingle at the back of the hall immediately after the concerts.”
Rodolfo Faistauer opens the 2024/5 programme of the Fanny Davis International Piano Series at 19:00 on Wednesday 9 October at St James and 19:30 in the Anne French Room of Alderney’s Island Hall at 19:30 on Thursday 10 October.
Tickets are free for under 18s, £10 for adults, available from the box office, stjames.gg or 711360 in Guernsey; Alderney Music Society members £15, non-members £18, from Chrissie’s DIY and Hardware, 822297 or burridge@cwgsy.net.
The St James workshops are free to listeners, 16:00-17:15. Meet the artist at the bar from 20:45 at St James. With thanks to sponsors Swallow 2018 Charitable Trust and Guernsey Arts.
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