Mark Nixon plays Liszt, Brahms & Debussy

Mark Nixon plays Liszt, Brahms & Debussy

For his latest recording, South African pianist Mark Nixon has selected three composers and a series of works that he has always enjoyed performing.

Released by Stringwise Records, the 77 minutes on this recording cover a wide range of emotions and pianistic styles, carefully selected to provide a well-balanced listening experience.

The recording was made in the United Kingdom in January and April 2012 under the guidance of one of the world’s top record producers, Andrew Keener. It includes a detailed booklet and full programme notes.

The CD opens with six dramatic and lyrical transcriptions by Franz Liszt. This is followed by Johannes Brahms’ Six Piano Pieces, Op 118, one of the composer’s final piano works. The remainder of the disc celebrates the 150th anniversary of Claude Debussy, one of the most innovative of all piano music composers.

Track Listing :

Franz Liszt Six Transcriptions:
1. Widmung (Schumann)
2. Auf flügeln des Gesanges (Mendelssohn)
3. Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt (Schumann)
4. Suleika (Mendelssohn)
5. Aufenthalt (Schubert)
6. Isoldens Liebestod (Wagner)

Johannes Brahms Six Piano Pieces, Op 118:
1. Intermezzo in A minor. Allegro non assai, ma molto appassionato
2. Intermezzo in A major. Andante teneramente
3. Ballade in G minor. Allegro energico
4. Intermezzo in F minor. Allegretto un poco agitato
5. Romance in F major. Andante
6. Intermezzo in E flat minor. Andante, largo e mesto

Claude Debussy
- D’un cahier d’esquisses
- Estampes
1. Pagodes
2. Soirée dans Grenade
3. Jardins sous la pluie
- L’isle Joyeuse

Resident in London, South African born Nixon is an experienced concert artist. This CD is being released on an extensive concert tour of South Africa and Namibia, his seventh in the past decade. He is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, the Amsterdam Conservatory and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. His teachers have included Laura Searle, Lamar Crowson, Håkon Austbø and Graham Johnson. He was also the Anthony Saltmarsh Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music, London.

He has received many prestigious awards, including first prizes in the Adolph Hallis and Nederburg-UNISA National Piano Competitions. In 1997 he was awarded the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship and the UNISA PJ Lemmer Overseas Scholarship. In 2000, 2001 and 2008 he was selected as a Young Concert Artist of the National Federation of Music Societies in the United Kingdom (now known as Making Music).

His engagements have included performances in Holland, Germany, France, United Kingdom and South Africa. He regularly performs as a soloist, is part of the King’s Piano Trio and is also a founding member of London Song Circle. He is currently Head of Keyboard at King’s College School, Wimbledon in London.

In 2010 he released a CD entitled Songs with the soprano Erica Eloff to great critical acclaim.

Mark’s latest CD is available from Look and Listen nationwide, Upbeat Music in Cape Town and Salon Music in Pretoria. In addition, tracks can be previewed and CDs can also be purchased through the following websites: http://www.marknixonpiano.com or http://www.stringwiserecords.co.za.

In addition, copies of the CD will be on sale at a special price of R150 at all 12 concerts of his South African tour this year. All CDs bought at these concerts will be entered into a draw to win a fantastic four-night luxury Safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana - two nights at Xigera Camp and two nights at Tubu Tree Camp. The stay includes accommodation for two adults sharing for four nights on a full board basis and return air transfers from Maun, between the camps and back to Maun. This prize is generously sponsored by Wilderness Safaris. For information on this leading company in responsible ecotourism and conservation, please visit http://www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Mark Nixon South African Concert Tour 2012

Mossel Bay  Thu 26 Jul, 19:30   Maritime Museum
George  Fri 27 Jul, 19:30   Arts Theatre, York Street
Paarl  Sun 29 Jul, 17:00   Nederburg Wine Estate
Somerset West  Sun 5 Aug, 16:00   Helderberg Village
Windhoek  Thu 9 Aug Masterclass at College of the Arts (COTA)
Windhoek   Fri 10 Aug, 19:30   College of the Arts (COTA)
Oudtshoorn  Sun 12 Aug, 11:00   Klein Karoo Klassique Festival
Pietermaritzburg  Fri 17 Aug, 19:30   Music Revival
Grahamstown  Mon 20 Aug 19:30   Rhodes University – Beethoven Room
Grahamstown  Tue 21 Aug   Masterclasses at Rhodes University
Humansdorp  Wed 22 Aug, 19:30   NG Kerk Moedergemeente
Port Elizabeth  Thu 23 Aug, 19:30   NMMU – South Campus Auditorium
Cape Town  Fri 24 Aug, 20:00   St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Pretoria  Sun 26 Aug 15:00   Brooklyn Theatre

Published 23 July 2012

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