John Lill, 'Classical Concert Series' - First Concert - Exeter Northcott Theatre, Sunday 24 October

John Lill introduces himself

 The Northcott 'Classical Concert Series' made a welcome return on Saturday night (24th October) with a celebrity recital by piano virtuoso John Lill. John's musical mastery and sheer presence filled the trademark bare stage at the Northcott Theatre.

Big enough to stage Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' with full orchestra, choir and dancers (), the stage is a daunting space for a solo instrumentalist. Despite this John's presence dominated the space - and the audience. His opening Mozart sonata needed no introduction and was a joy from the outset. Beethoven's Waldstein sonata completed an inspired first half.

After the interval John moved on to 'romantic' music with Chopin's Ballade No 4, and a final spirited masterpiece - Sonata in B minor by Franz Liszt.

The music was entrancing and wonderfully energetic. John led the audience on a very special 'journey' through the nineteenth century, and finished the concert with a very special encore - Alexander Scriabin's 1894 Étude in D sharp minor Opus 8 No 12. This extremely taxing - and literally stretching study (involving eleven note stretches) was all in a day's work for John, and pure joy for the audience.

and plays brilliantly

Less is most definitely more. One man, one piano and a bare stage were the setting for the perfect 'Classical Concert'. Over the next few months more musicians will come to the Northcott to add their music to the 'Classical Concert Series'.


Exeter Northcott Theatre - Classical Concert Series - Opening Concert
Piano Recital - John Lill CBE - Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt
Sunday 16 October 7.30pm Tickets: £16.50 all seats (student standby £8)
Box Office: Northcott Foyer 01392 493493 10am-6pm Mon-Sat
www.exeternorthcott.co.uk     boxoffice@exeternorthcott.co.uk
Concert Series Saver: All four concerts: £48 / three concerts: £36 - book before 16th October
(Concerts still to come: Tim Lowe & James Baillieu 'Cello & Piano - Sun 27 Nov
                                             Sitkovetsky Piano Trio - Sun 5 Feb 2012
                                                Navarra String Quartet - Sun 4 March 2012