Keys to this year’s London Piano Festival at Kings Place
Thursday, 26th September 2019 — By Michael White
Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva rehearsing at Kings Place. Photo: Viktor Erik |Emmanuel
CONCERTS with two pianists aren’t too common any more; and if you find one, the pianists will usually be sitting side by side at the same keyboard because not so many halls are able to provide a second Steinway.
But at Kings Place from October 2-6 you get the full Monty: two pianists, two pianos. And in fact you get rather more than two pianists because it’s the annual London Piano Festival, which runs October 2-6 at Kings Place and packs in so many players it’s like an attempt on the Guinness Book of Records.
As in previous years, it’s run by pianists Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva who have distinguished solo careers but also play together as a duo. And they feature prominently in the 2019 programme – not least in a self-proclaimed “Marathon” of two-piano music on Saturday 5th, 7pm, when they share the platform with performing friends and it all turns into a party. Streamers, hats, balloons supplied.
Other nights include a contemporary jazz evening with the super-sophisticated composer/ pianist Gwilym Simcock playing tracks from his latest CD release Hear and Now on Friday 4th, 7.30pm. And there’s a surprise star on the opening night on Wednesday 2nd, who has stepped in at the last minute.
“One of the challenges in running a festival,” says Owen, “is to turn crises into opportunities. And we had a major crisis when our scheduled opening artist, Ingrid Fliter, had a health issue and was forced to cancel. She was literally the poster-girl for the whole festival – her image plastered across Kings Place – and we went into meltdown.
“But we then found a worthy replacement in the fabulous Federico Colli who won the Leeds Competition a few years ago and is a big draw. So that’s a relief.”
Another draw is Jonathan Dove as composer-in-residence. His minimalist-leaning music has a sharp, sassy immediacy that fills halls. And among several pieces by him in the programmes will be the premiere of a significant festival commission that Owen and Apekisheva play as part of the Marathon.
“It’s going to be exhausting”, Owen says, “but in the best way.”
• Further details on the website: londonpianofestival.com
