Programme

WIDMUNG

An Evening dedicated to Robert Schumann

(1810 – 1856)

                                                        Kreisleriana (Fantasia) op. 16

                                                        Quanto più mosso possible; Molto intimamente e non troppo rapido;

                                                        Molto agitato; Molto lento; Molto vivace; Molto lento;

                                                        Molto rapidamente; Veloce e giocoso

                                                                Transcriptions of Lieder

Und wüβten’s die Blumen, die kleinen op. 48 no. 8

                                                                (Transcribed by Michael Zadora)

                                                                Du bist wie eine Blume op. 25 no. 24

                                                                (Transcribed by Leopold Godowski)

                                                                Widmung op. 25 no. 1

                                                                (Transcribed by Clara Wieck)

                                                                Twelve Symphonic Studies op. 13

                                                                Theme: Andante;

Etude 1: Un poco più vivo; Etude 2: Andante; Etude 3: Vivace;

Etude 4: Allegro marcato; Etude 5: Scherzando; Etude 6: Agitato;

Etude 7: Allegro molto; Etude 8: Sempre marcatissimo;

Etude 9: Presto possibile; Etude 10: Allegro con energia;

Etude 11: Andante espressivo; Etude 12: Allegro brillante

Igor Cognolato graduated summa cum laude in pianoforte performance from the famous Benedetto Marcello Conservatorio, Venice. He studied and graduated in choir directing from the Accademia Felice Evaristo dall’Abaco, Verona. He pursued further musical studies at the University of Hanover, graduating in pianoforte performance under the tuition of Roberto Szidon, a former student of Arthur Rubinstein and Claudio Arrau. Igor’s orchestral debut followed with the NDR Symphony Orchestra with a performance of Liszt’s Piano Concerto no. 2. Since then, Igor has performed to critical acclaim all over Europe and the USA. Among many orchestras he has performed with one finds the Sophia Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra del Gran Teatro La Fenice, the Tallin Symphony Orchestra, and others. He has recorded for RAI, NDR Radio, Norwegian National Radio, and he has issued CDs for Simax, Blue Serge, and Rivoalto.

For the past fifteen years, Igor has regularly performed with the Athenaeum Berlin Philharmonic String Quartet, taking part in the Aix-en-Provence Chamber Music Festival, with their performance of Schumann’s Piano Quintet op. 44 being broadcast live for ARTE TV. His activity as chamber music performer sees him playing with musicians, including singers, from all over Europe. Igor is also the President and Artistic Director of Amici della musica di Treviso, as well as the President of the Richard Wagner Association, Venice. He has performed at the Bayreuther Festspiele as well as at the Library of Congress, USA. He is also involved in programmes dedicated to authentic performances of Beethoven’s works and in this regard, Igor pursues a robust research career in this specific field.

Currently, Igor is Professor of Pianoforte Performance and coordinator of the Masters Degree course in Pianoforte Performance at the University of Venice. He has also taught at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Tartini, Trieste, and at other institutions such as the Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Conservatorio, Cagliari. He has given master classes in many European Universities, such as Vienna, the Mozarteum, Salzburg, Lübeck, Dresden, London, Spain, Estonia, Bucharest, Zagreb, and Beijing. A few years ago, Igor gave a successful debut at the Berlin Philharmonie performing Svoboda’s Concerto Grosso. He has been awarded the South Korean award for his excellence in the musical field. www.igorcognolato.com https://youtube.com/@IgorCognolato