Mohamed Shams
On November 12, 2014 AfriClassical posted:
New York, NY, February 17, 2015 – Egyptian classical pianist Mohamed Shams will return to New York for his solo debut at Weill Recital Hall/Carnegie Hall on Wednesday April 15 at 8pm,
featuring a diverse program of works including Chopin, Carter,
Mendelssohn, Ravel, Scarlatti and Egyptian composer Gamal Abdel Rahim.
Hailed
as “world class” by Philippe Entremont, the celebrated pianist and
conductor, and dubbed “brilliant” by host Bob Sherman of WQXR-NY
McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, Mohamed Shams is an exceptionally
gifted Middle Eastern musician steeped in Western classical music
tradition.
The Carnegie Hall program, with its East/West blending of musical cultures, demonstrates Mr. Shams’ belief that “music is music.” According to Shams,
“the
beauty of music reaches across boundaries. Despite, or perhaps because
of all the turmoil in the Middle East, it is more vital than ever to
make music. Music breaks down barriers and builds bridges between
nations and people.”
Mohamed Shams observes that few people are aware that Egypt has a long and storied classical music tradition. “I am an Egyptian classical pianist,” he said. “To
many, this may appear anomalous; I suspect that for most of the
worldwide audience for this art form, Egyptian classical artists are a
well-kept secret. However, Egypt was the first, and remains the most
cosmopolitan of the Arab nations in this region. In fact, the Khedivial
Opera House in Cairo, for over a century the only opera house in the
Middle East, was built in 1869 to celebrate the inauguration of the Suez
Canal. Verdi’s opera ‘Aida’ received its premiere there.”
Mr. Shams recently returned from Cairo, where he performed Beethoven’s 4th piano concerto on January 10th with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra
under the baton of Venezuelan conductor and violinist Eddy Marcano. The
Cairo Symphony is the oldest and largest orchestra in the Arab Middle
East, and Shams has performed with the ensemble since the age of 16.
Last November, Shams presented Masterpieces of 19th and 20th Century Composers at the Bruno Walter Auditorium/NY Public Library for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center. He has been critically lauded for his performances abroad, including appearances with the Royal National Orchestra of Scotland and the Royal Conservatory of Scotland Orchestra (2012). Mohamed Shams is the recipient of numerous prizes and honors in recognition of his artistry.
FUSIONWORKS PRESENTS:
EGYPTIAN PIANIST MOHAMED SHAMS IN RECITAL
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15 – 8:00pm –Weill Recital Hall/Carnegie Hall
(Enter Weill Recital Hall on 57th street, between 7th and 6th Avenues)
TICKETS:
CarnegieCharge: 212-247-7800
Orchestra: $40
Balcony: $25
PROGRAM:
D. Scarlatti: Sonata #K.466 in F minor and Sonata #K.455 in G major
F. Mendelssohn: Opus 6 Songs Without Words (andante, allegro leggiero, andante tranquillo, presto, moderato, allegretto non troppo)
M. Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit (Ondine, le Gibet, Scarbo)
INTERMISSION
Gamal Abdel Rahim: Elegy
E. Carter: Catenaires (2006)
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 3 Op. 58 in B minor (allegro maestoso, scherzo: molto vivace, largo, finale: presto non tanto; agitato)
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