Alim Beisembayev, piano

Friday 16 June, 7.30pm

Image © Nabin Maharjan.

First Prize winner at The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021.

Our opening concert is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear rising piano star Alim Beisembayev. Born in Kazakhstan in 1998, he won First Prize at the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in September 2021. The Guardian praised him as a ‘worthy winner’ with a ‘real musical personality’. Today, at just 25 years of age, all eyes in the piano world are upon this young musician, who is on the cusp of a dazzling career, both in concert and on disc. Having mastered very diverse repertoires, Alim consistently generates dialogues between eras and styles. In this concert he contrasts Bach’s timeless French Suite with the stunning whirlwind virtuosity of a selection from the Transcendental Études by Franz Liszt. A predominantly calm Chopin group provides a serene interlude, while Rachmaninov provides a shimmering conclusion to this spectacular programme (in the 150th year since his birth). Scroll down for full details.

‘Alim Beisembayev …delivered high-powered Beethoven, fiery Prokofiev and shimmering Rachmaninoff… he is impressive and clearly worth watching.’ Stuart Isacoff, Wall Street Journal

This concert is sponsored by friends of Thaxted Festival who wish to remain anonymous.