48 Diaries

Preludes of Chopin and Scriabin

Friday, May 9th, 6pm

Ming Xie 

Plays Chopin and Scriabin Preludes

Described as 'phenomenal' by the legendary Martha Argerich

Chopin 24 Preludes op. 28

Frédéric Chopin’s Preludes, Op. 28, composed between 1835 and 1839, is a set of 24 miniatures, one in each major and minor key, directly inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, a work which Chopin deeply admired and studied. Written primarily during his stay in Mallorca with George Sand, the preludes reflect Chopin’s introspective state amid poor health and isolation. Ranging from the hauntingly lyrical (No. 4 in E minor) to the fiercely dramatic (No. 16 in B-flat minor and no. 22 in G minor), the collection mirrors Bach’s systematic key progression while infusing Romantic lyricism and technical innovation. Chopin’s Preludes later influenced composers like Debussy, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. Op. 28 is a landmark in piano literature.

Scriabin 24 Preludes op. 11

Alexander Scriabin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 11, was composed between 1888 and 1896. It is a set of short piano pieces written when he was 16 to 24 years old and is inspired by Chopin’s Preludes, Op. 28. Like Chopin's template, Scriabin's op.11 spans all major and minor keys, demonstrating Scriabin’s lyrical sensitivity and technical finesse. Like Chopin's Preludes, Scriabin's set ranges from the tender and introspective (No. 4 in E minor) to the lively and bombastic (No. 14 in E-flat minor). Along with his early sonatas, Op. 11 established Scriabin as a talented composer of his generation.

Ming Xie

Ming Xie is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He studied under Sergei Babayan, Emanuel Ax and Matti Raekallio. Since then he has played with Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra in Russia, Wigmore Hall in London, Alice Tulley Hall and Lincoln Center and many other venues around the world.

Ming has won prizes in the following competitions:  Gawon Award in South Korea; the Gold Medal Panama International Piano Competition, the Sydney International Piano Competition; Valsesia Musica International Piano Competition in Italy; Maria Canals International Piano Competition of Barcelona in Spain, Lee International Piano Competition in U.S.A, TOYAMA International Youth Piano Competition in Hong Kong and Gulangyu National Piano Competition in China. 

I first saw Ming play at the Sydney International Piano Competition and immediately invited him to come to Eelswamp. Martha Agerich is reputed to have described Ming as 'phenomenal' and I would agree. Eight years later we finally managed to organise a concert. Don't miss it!

Reservations: 1,000 baht per person. Email asiachart@hotmail.com. All proceeds to the musician.

Tickets: No tickets will be issued for concerts. Admission to the music room on the day of the concert will be in accordance with the sequence of receipt of payment (ie, who pays first goes in first and can select their desired seat).

Etiquette: No photos during the performance. Photos may be taken during the encore only. During the main performance please put your phone in silent mode and put it away.

Children: Children aged eight years and older may attend the concert depending on the suitability of the program. 

Cancellations and credits: Credit will be allowed for future concerts in the event of illness. Please don't come if you're feeling sick or recovering but still coughing. 

Directions to Eelswamp: Find 'Eelswamp' on google maps.

Bolt Taxi service to Eelswamp: Just enter "Eelswamp" in the destination box.