Phonoramas: Tonal journeys for the pianoforte

Sat 25 June 2022

Clare Hall

The Java Suite is a relatively unexplored island in the vast sea of early twentieth-century literature for the piano. Composed of 12 separate pieces, they are poetic descriptions of Godowsky's experience in Indonesia – a kind of musical travel book. They are among the best music written for the instrument in this period, and are gradually gaining their place in the repertoire.

Patrick Hemmerlé, who will be recording the cycle this summer, is offering us a rare chance to hear the work in its entirety.

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Programme

Godowsky: Java Suite

Detail of the movements:

Part One
1. Gamelan
2. Wayang-Purwa, Puppet Shadow Plays
3. Hari Besaar, The Great Day

Part Two
4. Chattering Monkeys at the Sacred Lake of Wendit
5. Boro Budur in Moonlight
6. The Bromo Volcano and the Sand Sea at Daybreak
Part Three
7. Three Dances
8. The Gardens of Buitenzorg
9. In the Streets of Old Batavia
Part Four
10. In the Kraton
11. The Ruined Water Castle at Djokja
12. A Court Pageant in Solo
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About the musician

Acclaimed for the originality of his concert programmes and the depth of his interpretations, Patrick Hemmerlé is a French pianist living in England. His vast repertoire encompasses a large body of works, including the 24 Chopin Etudes and the 48 Bach Prelude and Fugues, which he often plays in concert. He is also a strong advocate of the music by lesser-known composers, whom he often introduces to the public, either in concert, in CDs, or on his YouTube channel.

Recent engagements have taken Patrick to New York, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, and Prague, and China, as well as many festivals and music societies in England. He has published 5 CDs, which have been well received by the international press. His latest recording project, to be issued in 2023, is a pairing of Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier and Fischer’s Ariadne Musica.

His musicological knowledge and his capacity to clarify complex musical concepts means he is in demand as a lecturer. He has given talks for Cambridge University. Since 2021, he is the Artistic Director of Clare Hall’s Intimate Engagements series.

Patrick is laureate of international competitions of Valencia, Toledo, Epinal, Grosseto, and CFRPM in Paris. He was trained in Paris at the Conservatoire (CNR), under the tuition of Billy Eidi. He has also had lessons with Graham Scott, Ventsislav Yankoff, Eric Heidsieck and Joaquin Soriano.

Cost: £15 General Admission, £10 Clare Hall members, £5 students and children.