The
Steinway Concerts 1999
Regina Shamvili
American Pianist and Steinway Artist
Sunday 27 June 1999
Regina Shamvili graduated from both the Tbilisi Conservatory and the
Tchaikovski Conservatory in Moscow, and studied with such legendary pianists as
Maria Grinberg, Yakov Flier and Gregory Ginzburg. Soon she became a
household name in her native Russia. She played with all major orchestras
and appeared in the most prestigious concert halls and festivals but her
performances were limited to within the borders of the former Soviet
Empire. Finally in 1983, Regina left the country for America.
In August if 1991 at the invitation of the President of Russia, Regina
returned to Moscow for a dramatic performance which coincided with the historic
coup d'état. The special coverage by CNN of her Moscow event was
broadcast throughout the world and a TV film "The Homecoming" was
produced in Moscow. Shamvili has made frequent appearances on different TV
channels including such superstations as CNN and Sky TV of London. Her recordings
are being distributed throughout the world. She recently recorded Regina
Shamvili plays Schumann and Ginka.
Regina receives an enthusiastic reception whether she performs in an intimate
atmosphere of the European music festivals or in huge modern halls of
Asia. Her ability to captivate international audiences has been epitomized
by Martin Bernheimer, of the Los Angeles Times:
'Unlike too many of her contemporaries, Shamvili does not fear the
expressive indulgences of the romantic spirit. Her playing reveals an
impeccable technique at the service of extraordinary interpretive breadth,
originality and dynamic fervour.'
The Steinway Concert Series 1999
The Patrons of Queen's Hall are pleased to present American
Pianist and Steinway Artist Ms. Regina Shamvili in the second Steinway
Concert. Ms. Shamvili is well known for her humanitarian activities and
her dedication to performing her music worldwide. Indeed she has performed
in more than 80 countries and given concerts under the auspices of UNESCO in
Asia, Africa and North America.
In November 1998 Ms. Shamvili offered to give a concert in
Trinidad when she would be holidaying in the Caribbean for the winter. It
has taken many attempts to make this offer a reality but tonight we are proud to
present this artist of international stature in Queen's Hall. We thank her
for making her considerable talent available to the music lovers of this
country. We also thank the Ho. Senator Daphne Phillips, Minister of
Culture and Gender Affairs, whose timely intervention played no small part in
smoothing the path and making this recital possible.
We thank you the audience for supporting the efforts of the
Patrons of Queen's Hall in their Mission "to create conditions to
accommodate the presentations of the Performing Arts of the highest quality,
varied content and tradition at Queen's Hall and to nurture an engaged and
supportive public for the Performing Arts".
Marlene Goddard
Chairman
Patrons of Queen's Hall
Programme
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata N28, Op. 101
Allegro ma non troppo
Vivache a la marchia
Allegro
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Mazurka in A-minor
Fantasia in F-minor Op. 49
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Kreisleriana Op. 16
(Eight fantastic pieces by Hoffman's fairy tales)
Auberst bewegt
Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch
Sehr aufgerget
Sehr langsam
Sehr lebhaft
Sehr langsam
Sehr rasch
Schnell und spielend
Acknowledgements
The Patrons of Queen's Hall thank the many organizations and individuals who
made it possible for Ms Regina Shamvili to perform at Queen's Hall, including:
Production Credits
House Manager: Jean Reid
Stage Manager: Noble Douglas
Ushers: Queen's Hall Ushers
Graphic Design: Dexter Lewis
Floral Arrangement courtesy Caribbean Flower Shop
Administration: Shirley Kelsick, Margaret Walcott
Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
Schumann was the son of prosperous and literate book-dealers in Zwickau.
From the beginning his study of law at the University of Leipzig took second
place to his keen interest in music and literature. There Schumann fell
into the most tempestuous sort of love with his piano teacher's daughter, Clara
Wieck. They married and were for the most part blissfully happy.
The Schumanns lived in Dresden for 6 years (1844-50) then moved to Dusseldorf,
where Robert was to conduct the local orchestra. By then however his
schizophrenia was worsening; in February 1854 he leapt into the Rhine and
finished his days in an insane asylum. Shortly before, he had discovered
Brahms, who was an intimate family member during this distressing period.
Schumann pioneered in the composition of solo song and was a superb composer
of Romantic piano works.
