Steven Osborne (piano)

Music in Peebles

75th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Programme

Debussy | Études Book 1

Debussy | Étude Retrouvée

Debussy | Études Book 2

Interval

Osborne | Improvisation on a Theme by Keith Jarrett

Rachmaninov | Piano Sonata No.1 in D minor, Op.28

It’s 75 years since the founder members of Peebles Music Club gathered to perform a series of monthly concerts for themselves and their friends. Little can they have imagined that they were laying the foundations for tonight’s Anniversary Concert, for which we welcome one of Scotland’s, and the world’s, finest pianists.

The first half of the recital is devoted to Debussy, one of the composers with whom Steven Osborne has a special affinity – in the words of the FT, “he has Debussy’s entire sound-world in his grasp”. The two books of Études, 12 pieces in all, are Debussy’s last major piano works and although academic in purpose are colourful, witty and inspired.

Rachmaninov’s First Sonata, with its Faustian overtones, is a veritable behemoth that is not for the faint-hearted pianist. In Steven Osborne, it meets its ideal interpreter, BBC Record Review declaring “I can’t imagine this being better played”.

Our founders of 75 years ago would surely be gladdened to hear the legacy they have bequeathed us.

“one of the outstanding keyboard talents of our time”  (Financial Times)