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Chekhov’s Grand Piano comes to Craxton Studios, Hampstead

Saturday 2 June 2018 at 7.30pm

Craxton Studios, 14 Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead NW3 7SU

Chekhov’s Grand Piano, 7 Star Arts’ newest mixed-grenre production, interweaves the words of the great Russian writer Anton Chekhov with the music of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, together with David Le Page’s music inspired by ‘The Seagull’.

Performed by internationally-acclaimed musicians Viv McLean (piano) and David le Page (violin) with readings by celebrated West End actress Susan Porrett

Tickets £20 each, including a glass of Prosecco. Book online using the link below or call 07889 399862

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There are many parallels between the works of Chekhov and the music of his compatriots. Chekhov’s writing is filled with allusions to music, and especially the piano, and some of his plays have piano interludes. Shostakovich noted that Chekhov’s short stories were written in sonata form. Chekhov corresponded with Tchaikovsky, whom he revered, and his friend Rachmaninoff played the piano in Chekhov’s summer home, The White Dacha at Yalta.

Craxton Studios, originally built as an artist’s home and studios, was for many years the home of celebrated pianist and teacher Harold Craxton who created a cultural hub for musicians, writers, poets and actors. The same spirit continues at Craxton Studios today and the house is regularly used for concerts, rehearsals and auditions. It is a fine example of English Arts & Crafts architecture and interior design.

 

“Viv McLean revealed extraordinary originality, superb simplicity, and muscles of steel hidden by fingers of velvet. He plays with the genius one finds in those who know how to forget themselves, naturally placing themselves at the right point to meet the music, this mystery of the moment.”

– Le Monde

“The finesse and fieriness of [David le Page’s] playing is always top-notch, but more than that, his unique sense of creativity infuses everything he does. His own music has a strong personal voice, full of improvisatory flair and independence of thought – and, like his interpretations of the classical repertoire, seems driven by a deeply poetic spirit.”

– The Independent