Concerts in the West: Alasdair Beatson, piano

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted: Monday, April 24, 2017 - 9:35pm

Alasdair Beatson’s reputation as a musician of the highest order precedes him. This gifted young Scottish pianist, who is also Concerts in the West’s patron, delivers consistently brilliant performances that have earned him glowing reviews from the toughest music critics.

Renowned as a dedicated musician and a ‘canny and uncompromising’ programmer, Beatson is unafraid to explore more exotic pieces and his programme for his Concerts in the West 1-3 June tour, which features a selection by Beethoven, Bartok, Debussy, Schumann, Dohnayi and Satie, reflects this bold but successful approach.

Alasdair’s previous Concerts in the West performances has shown him to be an intense artiste, totally involved in his choice of works. He seeks to overcome an audience’s preconceived ideas through the power of music and his concerts undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. His individual approach and magical interpretations all contribute to building an excellent rapport with the audience.

As well as having an affinity with the classical repertoire, especially the music of Schumann (featured in this tour’s programme) and Fauré, he also enjoys exploring more exotic arrangements and for Concerts in the West he will, as part of the programme for the four concerts, be playing Debussy’s Images Book 2, which reflects his passion for pictures - “I love pictures almost as much as music” - and his desire to paint pictures with his music.

Alasdair is a prolific soloist and chamber musician and his 2017 concerts include London’s Wigmore Hall and Kings Place, Zurich’s Tonhalle, the West Cork Chamber Music Festival and festivals such as Ryedale, Resonances and Ernen. This year a recording of 19th century music for horn and piano, featuring Alasdair with Alec Frank-Gemmill will be released on the BIS Records label.

Catherine Maddocks, founder and director of Concerts in the West, said: “It is such a pleasure to welcome back Alasdair Beatson. He first performed for Concerts in the West in 2007, just as he was embarking on a career as a professional musician, and then again in 2012 and 2014. In that time he has gone on to achieve many great things, so we are delighted that he is able to take the time to perform for Concerts in the West audiences. For us, it is like welcoming an old friend.”


Musical Programme
Evening Recital programme: Hatherleigh, Ilminster & Crewkerne
Beethoven 7 Bagatelles Op. 33; Bartók From Mikrokosmos / Hungarian Peasant Songs Sz 71 (Selection); Debussy Images, 2Ème Série; Schumann Kinderszenen, 'Scenes From Childhood' Op. 15; Dohnányi Rhapsody In C Op. 11 No 3; Eric Satie Embryons Desséchés

Shorter recital programme (Bridport lunchtime concert):
Beethoven, Debussy & Dohnanyi

Performance and Box Office Details

Thursday 1 June 2017 7.30pm, Lower Pulworthy, Highampton, Hatherleigh, Devon EX21 5LQ. Box Office: 01837 810940 (Salar Gallery, 18/20 Bridge Street, Hatherleigh EX20 3HY. 9am-5pm) or book at Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk or you can buy on the night from 6.45pm, when the doors open, but it is worth checking ticket availability beforehand and advance booking is advised. Tickets: £15. Concessions for students and children.Interval drinks, parking. Lower Pulworthy is an old rural farmhouse, approximately two miles out of Hatherleigh on the A3072. Take a right turn which is signposted to Legge Fisheries. Follow the road up the hill and take the right fork, which will lead you down a bumpy drive. You will see gate posts ahead of you and you will have arrived. There are several farm buildings, but they are no longer in use. The concert is in the house. Please park where you can find a space.

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Venue

Lower Pulworthy, Highampton, Hatherleigh, Devon EX21 5LQ

Event Date

Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 7:00pm