Série jeunes: Roman Borisov

The pianist Roman Borisov was born in Novosibirsk in 2002 and has won various major prizes. He is now introducing himself to Zurich audiences with three very different works: The first is the Preludes by the American composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, who developed such a bold style in the 1920s that one quote in particular still circulates about her music today: she could "hurl dissonances around like a man". Who said it is not known - but yes, her handling of dissonances is indeed remarkably free. Robert Schumann, whose "Humoreske" op. 20 is on the programme, was also a free spirit. And the programme concludes with Rachmaninov's Piano Sonata No. 2: an impressive example of how art and life are not only connected, but also sometimes get in each other's way. Rachmaninov began composing in Rome, but then had to interrupt his work because his two daughters fell ill with typhoid fever. The family then moved to Berlin, where there were good doctors, the daughters recovered - and the sonata could also be completed.