Ravinia 2022, Issue 4

XENIE ZASETSKAYA ALEXANDER MALOFEEV, piano Born in Moscow in 2001, pianist Alexander Malofeev is a graduate of the Russian capi- tal’s Gnessin Special School of Music and has been advancing his artistry at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory since 2019. He came to international attention when he won the International Tchaikovsky Competi- tion for Young Musicians at age 13, and he has since cemented himself as a leading musician in his generation. Named the first Young Ya- maha Artist in 2017, Malofeev has also been honored with the grand prize of the Interna- tional Competition for Young Pianists’ Grand Piano Competition and second prize at the first China International Music Competition. His recent and upcoming collaborations with orchestras include the New World Sympho- ny with Michael Tilson Thomas, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra with Patrick Summers, and La Scala Orchestra and Lucerne Festival Orchestra with Riccardo Chailly—who he joined for a 2019 Asia tour with the Filar- monica della Scala—as well as the Philadel- phia Orchestra, Prague Philharmonia, RAI National Symphony, Munich Symphony Orchestra, Teatro di San Carlo Orchestra, and Lausanne and Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestras. As a soloist in recital and with orchestras, Malofeev has also been featured at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw—where he opened the 30th anniversary concert of the Meester Pianists series—Teatro alla Scala, Paris’s Philharmonie, the Queensland Per- forming Arts Center, National Center for the Performing Arts in China, Kaufman Music Center, Mariinsky Theatre, Zurich’s Tonhalle, and the Boston Celebrity Series, among many other venues. In 2020, Malofeev recorded Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto with the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra and Alexander Sladkovsky for Sony Classical’s Tchaikovsky 2020 box set. Alexander Malo- feev is making his Ravinia debut. PAVILION 8:00 PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022 CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CARLOS MIGUEL PRIETO, conductor CONRAD TAO, piano DEBUSSY Ibéria from Images pour orchestre Par les rues et par les chemins Les parfums de la nuit Le matin d’un jour de fête RAVEL Piano Concerto Allegramente Adagio assai Presto Conrad Tao –Intermission– ORTIZ Téenek (Invenciones de territorio) ** COPLAND El Salón México MONCAYO Huapango ** First performance in the Midwest Ravinia expresses its appreciation for the generous support of Program Sponsor The Hunter Family Foundation . Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major contains some of Prokofiev’s most uncompromisingly disso- nant writing, although there are memorable lyrical moments as well. The Allegro inquieto commences with a nearly atonal melody in 6/8 time. A slower theme in 9/8 time, marked “expressive and sorrowful,” offers character contrast. The rapid tempo returns in the de- velopment, out of which grows the recapitula- tion. Prokofiev restates his slower second theme in a condensed form. The slow movement opens with a warm-hearted theme cast in the triple meter of popular 19th-century piano music. An ex- pressive second theme begins with a steady unison melody, gradually becoming more animated. The opening theme returns briefly. Although the final movement is the shortest of the three, its irregular 7/8 meter, non-stop rhythmic motion, and strident harmonies create an exciting climax to the sonata. Its ini- tial idea builds on an insistent ostinato bass pattern and syncopated chords. The central section breaks from the repeated motive, pre- senting figuration in the high register. Electri- fying material from the beginning concludes the sonata. –Program notes © 2022 Todd E. Sullivan Sergei Prokofiev RAVINIA MAGAZINE • AUGUST 1 – AUGUST 14, 2022 28 I