Late Night Concert: Kreisleriana and De Profundis

Benjamin Powell, piano

Kreisleriana & De Profundis

A late-night performance of two of the finest works from the piano literature. Robert Schumann's Kreisleriana portrays the wildly changing moods and passions of the fictional conducter, Johanness Kreisler, a creation of the fantastical gothic novelist E.T.A. Hoffmann. At the same time Kreisleriana is a disguised love letter to Schumann's future wife, Clara, and features some of the most tender and affectionate music he would ever compose amongst moments of despair and fevered passion.

Frederic Rzewski was one of the most musical distinctive voices of the 20th and 21st century, both a masterful composer and a virtuoso pianist. De Profundis uses Oscar Wilde's text – a penned but never sent letter intended for his former lover Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas – and incorporates it directly into the body of the music, the performer speaking the words in and around the notes, the combined sounds and text creating a vivid portrait of Wilde's mania, moving through depression, despair, resignation, and eventually finding peace.

Benjamin Powell

Since winning the British Contemporary Piano Competition in 2010 Benjamin Powell has gained a reputation for intelligent and expressive performances with a strong commitment to music of the present day. From 2014-2023 he was the pianist for Manchester’s leading new music group, Psappha. Through his work with Psappha and elsewhere he has given over a hundred world premieres, working closely with established and emerging composers across the UK and internationally. Benjamin is a professor of piano at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music, and has been a staff pianist at the RNCM since 2007.

Reserved Seating for Friends of GMF

Those who have joined the GMF Friends will be able to take advantage of reserved seats towards the front of the church, as a token of our appreciation for their support of Glossop Music Festival. Friends should email friends@glossopmusicfestival.org.uk with their seating requirements.

If you would like to join our Friends, please visit: www.glossopmusicfestival.org.uk/become-a-friend or email for further information.