A Night of Sonata - Chi Feng Solo Piano Recital

A Night of Sonata - From Classical to 20th Century

Solo Piano Recital

Piano - Chi Feng - Award winner of International Piano Competition

This is a solo piano recital themed around piano sonatas. The chosen repertoires are well-suited for both classical music enthusiasts and piano amateurs, as well as professional piano students. The concert lineup features Mozart's last sonata K576 from his late period, the famous Beethoven "Appassionata," the pearl-like Schubert sonata D664, and the dynamic, character-filled Prokofiev Piano Sonata No.3, arranged chronologically to guide the audience through different eras of classical sonatas and experience the charm of music. (All concert pieces will be performed in their entirety).

Chi Feng, a Chinese New Zealand pianist from the Piano Department at the China Central Conservatory of Music.

In 2019, she relocated to New Zealand with her family. In August of the same year, she was invited to perform her first solo concert in New Zealand at the Living Waters Church in Auckland. During the 2020 pandemic, she collaborated with an Auckland Philharmonic violinist to perform Beethoven's work in the Auckland Philharmonic's "coffee break" online concert series. In July of the same year, she was invited to give a solo concert at the Epsom Girls Grammar School in Auckland. In February 2022, she was invited to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 with the Orchestra Auckland at St. Matthew-in-the-city in Auckland CBD. They collaborated again on Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor in November of the same year.

Chi Feng's piano performances have been widely appreciated in New Zealand. Don Brash, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, leader of the National Party, leader of the ACT Party, and a classical music enthusiast, commented, "She is certainly an extremely accomplished pianist!"

Programme:

Mozart Piano Sonata No. 18 K576
In D Major, K576, composed in 1789, consists of three movements. This sonata is the last one written by Mozart and one of his most challenging works. Its advanced technique and skillful counterpoint treatment make this sonata, in certain aspects, a nod to the past, while in other aspects, it hints at the future of piano sonatas.

Beethoven Piano Sonata No.23 Op.57 "Appassionata"
The "volcanic eruption" like piano sonata "Appassionata" is a fervent, passionate, and exuberant piece frequently performed in concerts and favoured by audiences. The work is filled with drama throughout, and the kind of musical energy that leaves audiences deeply moved is rare in the works of Beethoven and his predecessors. This energy inspires and moves music lovers worldwide. Among Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, divided into early, middle, and late periods, the "Appassionata" is one of the most representative masterpieces of the middle period. It holds a place at the summit of the entire history of piano music. Not only are its inner emotional surges and the compactness of its material awe-inspiring, but the expressive musical techniques that place all the turbulent elements in clear view are truly remarkable.

Schubert Piano Sonata D664
Franz Schubert, often referred to as the "King of Art Song," also produced piano sonatas of high artistic value. In his creation of piano sonatas, he not only employed the techniques of classical sonata composition, but also infused and highlighted the lyrical qualities of Romanticism. This piece, completed in 1826, signifies the maturation of Schubert's piano sonata composition.

Prokofiev Piano Sonata No.3 Op.28
Prokofiev was a brilliantly talented composer on the world music scene in the 20th century, authoring numerous outstanding works throughout his life. Among these, perhaps none is more famous than his Piano Sonata No.3, composed during his youth. This is a sonata with a single-movement structure. It is prized in piano concerts due to its exquisite compactness and dramatic richness.