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Press Releases
Honens 2018 Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze Makes Carnegie Hall Debut
Fast-rising concert pianist and 2018 Honens Prize Laureate, Nicolas Namoradze makes his Carnegie Hall debut on February 10 at 7:30 pm in Zankel Hall. Namoradze has quickly built a reputation as a “pianist’s pianist” (Calgary Herald) with a unique artistic voice. Also an accomplished composer, Namoradze performs works by Bach, Schumann, and Scriabin, alongside his own Etudes and the world premiere of his Arabesque. John Corigliano describes Namoradze’s Etudes as, “some of the most innovative and dynamic works of this century.”
With teachers including legendary concert pianist Emanuel Ax, Namoradze hails from impressive musical lineage. Ax describes Nicolas as, “an extraordinary artist,” and “set to become one of the truly important artists of his generation.” After completing his undergraduate studies in Budapest, Vienna, and Florence, Nicolas moved to New York for his master’s at Juilliard. He now pursues his Doctorate at the CUNY Graduate Center holding the Graduate Center Fellowship and serves on the faculty of Queens College.
The Honens International Piano Competition takes place every three years in Calgary, Canada, and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. With an initial $5 million bequest from music-lover Esther Honens in 1991, the Competition started with the mission to provide a platform for exceptional pianists and to discover the next “Complete Artist.” By this definition, competitors undergo solo, chamber, concerto, and interview rounds. The Honens Prize Laureate is awarded $100,000 (CAD) and Honens’ half-million dollar Artist Development Program, which provides artistic and career guidance and support, including worldwide representation for three years, debut recitals in major career-building markets, residencies at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, production of a professional recording released globally on the Hyperion and Steinway labels, as well as valuable coaching and mentorship opportunities. In addition to the competition, Honens holds an annual festival, which is one of Canada’s premier classical music events.
As part of the 2018 Laureate Prize, Honens presents Namoradze in the world’s most remarkable classical music venues: Carnegie Hall, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, and London’s Wigmore Hall. These recitals are presented with the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation. Honens President and CEO Neil Edwards comments, “The debut series fills an important part of the Honens mission to offer exceptional opportunities to springboard the winning laureate’s career. Mr. Namoradze is a fine musician, and we are honored to share this exceptional talent with Carnegie Hall and indeed the world.”
Tickets for this event are available online at CarnegieHall.org, by phone at 212-247-7800, or in person at the Carnegie Hall Box Office.
Honens Presents:
Nicolas Namoradze in Recital
Sunday, February 10 | 7:30 pm
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
Tickets: $15 to $40
Full Program:
Scriabin Sonata No. 9 Op. 68 “Black Mass”
J.S. Bach Sinfonia in F minor BWV 795
J.S. Bach Partita in E minor BWV 830
Schumann Arabeske Op. 18
Schumann Gesa¨nge der Fru¨he Op. 133
Namoradze Arabesque (World Premiere)
Namoradze Etude I: Major Scales
Namoradze Etude II: Mostly Triads
Namoradze Etude III: Moving Mirrors
ABOUT NICOLAS NAMORADZE
“Never have I heard such a Liszt Sonata as I did from Nicolas Namoradze ... The strength of the conception and the sheer level of artistry compel me to take my hat off to him.”—Zolta´n Kocsis
Pianist and composer Nicolas Namoradze, whose performances have been hailed by critics as “sparkling ... sensitive and coloristic” (New York Times) and “simply gorgeous” (Wall Street Journal), came to international attention in 2018 upon winning the triennial Honens International Piano Competition in Calgary, Canada—the largest piano prize in the world. The Calgary Herald called him “unparalleled” and “a pianist’s pianist” stating: “while he certainly has the virtuosity to spare, he gained the top spot through his remarkable clarity of execution, refinement and variety of tone, and his uncanny ability to make even the most ordinary passagework sound meaningful and distinctive ... The refinement of his playing was of international standard, and everywhere his interpretative skills commanded attention and admiration.”
As 2018 Honens Prize Laureate, Namoradze’s upcoming activities include debut recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, and Konzerthaus Berlin, recordings on the Honens and Hyperion labels, performances with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, and residencies at leading festivals and music centers around the world such as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
After completing his undergraduate studies in Budapest, Vienna, and Florence, Namoradze moved to New York for his master’s at Juilliard. He now pursues his Doctorate at the CUNY Graduate Center holding the Graduate Center Fellowship, studying piano with Emanuel Ax and Yoheved Kaplinsky and composition with John Corigliano. Namoradze serves on the faculty of Queens College.
ABOUT HONENS
Honens discovers, nurtures, and presents Complete Artists—21st century pianists for 21st century audiences. The Honens International Piano Competition takes place every three years and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. Honens prepares its Laureates for the rigours and realities of professional careers in music and creates opportunities for growth and exposure. The annual Honens Festival is one of Canada’s premier classical music events, intended to share Mrs. Honens’ love of world renowned music with Albertans every year. The 2019 Honens Festival takes place in Calgary from September 5 to 8.
Esther Honens created a legacy of musical excellence to be enjoyed for generations. In 1991, Mrs. Honens gave $5 million to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Her generosity, vision, and love of music continue to touch the lives of musicians and music-lovers at home and around the world. Honens’ Legacy Partners follow in Esther Honens’ footsteps by securing Honens’ future and ensuring its continued ability to offer a broad scope of programming and community outreach projects.
ABOUT AZRIELI FOUNDATION
Fulfilling the philanthropic legacy of David J. Azrieli, the Azrieli Foundation has been funding institutions as well as operating programs in Israel and Canada since 1989. Driven by a strong belief in the powerful role and responsibility of philanthropy, the foundation empowers and assists tens of thousands of people by supporting a broad range of organizations, facilitating innovative outcomes and increasing knowledge and understanding in the search for practical and novel solutions.
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