Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight – ‘Clair de Lune’

Following their ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and sold-out show in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,

"Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert, relating amusing, enlightening stories to introduce each piece; his eloquent performance expresses a dramatic, emotional mood from sad and sorrowful to light-hearted and lyrical, oozing a joyful sense of romantic love." (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide)

"A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts." (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe Magazine)

"Matthew Shiel shone" (⭐⭐⭐⭐Three Weeks)

Moonlight Concerts return to Edinburgh with a musical show inspired by the most romantic piano pieces ever composed and the mysterious masked balls of Venice.

Tonight, we join acclaimed concert pianist and storyteller Matthew Shiel for a romantic tour of the piano as he exposes the secret love affairs of the great composer’s hearts that have shaped the history of classical music including: Chopin’s scandalous elopement with the French author George Sand and Brahms’ secret affair with his best friend’s wife, Clara Schumann.

Tonight’s musical programme includes several of the most romantic piano pieces ever composed: Liszt’s Liebestraum, Schubert’s Serenade, Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and Debussy’s Clair de Lune – performed by intimate candlelight.

This concert will also feature a new romantic piece composed specially for tonight's artist by Matthew's Italian friend and composer Dr Alfredo Caponnetto – Notturno VI alongside a digital art exhibition and light installation designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience designed to fill you with romantic inspiration and open your heart to live and to love.

PROGRAMME

Liebestraum No.3 – Franz Liszt

Serenade – Schubert (arranged for piano by Franz Liszt)

Novelette in E minor (after El amor brujo of Manuel de Falla) – Francis Poulenc

Minuet in G (from Anna Magdalena Notebook of 1725)  – Johann Sebastian Bach

Barcarolle (from The Seasons Op. 37b) – Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Intermezzo in A (Op.118, No. 2) – Johannes Brahms

Lea-Rigg – Robert Burns (arranged for piano by Alexander Reinagle)

Notturno VI  – Alfredo Caponnetto

‘Raindrop’ Prelude in D-flat major (Op.28 No.15) – Frédéric Chopin

Nocturne in F minor (Op.55 No.1) – Frédéric Chopin

Clair de Lune (from Suite Bergamasque) – Claude Debussy

Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann (Op. 20) – Clara Schumann

Matthew Shiel

'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Emma Yitong Shen

Emma Shen is a Chinese visual artist currently resident in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has collaborated with Disney, BBDO, FCB, Ogilvy and her illustrations, installations and paintings are exhibited internationally. Emma aims to capture the essence of emotions and imagination on canvases. Utilizing both traditional and digital tools, she uses luminescent colors, creative composition to unveil unique perspectives on the ordinary. Emma's illustrations, installations, and paintings are regularly showcased in exhibitions and commercial events internationally. Her work is a testament to the boundless possibilities of imagination and the ability to transform the mundane into captivating visual narratives.

Moonlight

Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.'

Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all.

moonlightconcerts.co.uk

Host or Publisher Matthew Shiel