by Daniel Fardon
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Listenpony Sessions: George Xiaoyuan Fu
Recording available now
Preludes was commissioned by Listenpony, and first performed at Listenpony #16 (Birmingham / Manchester / London), May 2018, by George Xiaoyuan Fu.
Daniel Fardon says of the piece:
The set comprises five relatively short miniatures for solo piano, each adopting different styles, moods, and energies. There are quotations, allusions, and contrasts, aimed at providing expressive and dramatic potential for the performer to embrace. For example, Rachmaninoff, nursery rhyme tunes, and jazz all rub shoulders in a playful way.
The preludes can also be separated and performed amongst larger works. In fact, since the Listenpony concerts, the preludes have taken on another life and been performed as part of a much longer piano suite. I have always been interested in how the reframing of earlier pieces can create new expressive formulas.
See also:
Daniel Fardon's Elements of Disco. "Elements of Disco for string quartet was written during a time when going to the disco was forbidden. In the piece I tried to bring a little life to disco music through the medium of the string quartet, to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 by the Carducci Quartet from St David's Hall in Cardiff in the absence of an audience as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterwards, the Carducci Quartet made a music video of the piece!
Daniel Fardon danielfardon.com
Daniel Fardon is a British composer based in London, working with and writing for internationally acclaimed ensembles. Daniel won an Ivor Novello award in 2020.
George Xiaoyuan Fu georgefupiano.com
Praised for his performances of distinctive intelligence, sensitivity and virtuosity, American pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu is establishing an international reputation as a musician who is a “deep thinker, thoroughly in command” (theartsdesk.com) with “stunning virtuosity” (Boston Music Intelligencer).