‘Aside from sharing the same key and ‘heavenly length’, Schubert’s Piano Sonata, D850 and Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata, No. 1, appear to have hardly anything else in common. Perhaps a very diligent scholar will note the repeated note motif in both the opening of the Schubert and surely coincidentally, the second theme of the first movement of the Rachmaninov. However, I have placed them together on this programme because I feel the common thread is quite intriguing.

There is an unusually grand scope and a great sense of a journey into uncharted territory for both composers, possibly a break from an expected style? Because of that, the programme is very challenging and rewarding for the performer and the listener alike!’

– Ilya Itin, February 2017

Listen to our Kings Place podcast featuring the acclaimed pianists Ilya Itin and Nelson Goerner.

‘His interpretation was beautiful and clear, he let the music breathe… He left no doubt in his musicality and virtuosity…. The result was a triumphant success.’ Wiener Zeitung 

‘A delicious and rare talent…’ Washington Post

Duration: 60 minutes without an interval