Chopin: Rondo in E flat major, Op. 16 (Introduction in C minor and Rondo in E flat major)

The young Norwegian pianist Christian Ihle Hadland, a rising star internationally, makes his solo debut with a recording for Simax that pairs two of the most outstanding composers of 19th century piano music, Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann. Both composers are very much in the limelight this year, the 200th anniversaries of their births in 1810.

In selecting the repertoire for his debut album, Hadland wanted to focus on works by Chopin and Schumann that may not be in the constant spotlight, but still possess tremendous qualities. Some of the most elegant melodies of Chopin can be found in his Impromptus, whilst the Waldszenen of Schumann explore a profound strain of German romanticism, a fantasy-world of inns and hunters, lonely flowers, prophetic birds, shadowed valleys and haunted thickets.

26-year-old Christian Ihle Hadland is considered among the foremost Norwegian pianists today. A much sought after soloist and chamber musician, Christian is opening the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra’s season in 2010/11, as well as touring Japan and China. He has recently become Artistic Director of Norway’s International Chamber Music Festival at Stavanger (a position he holds jointly with clarinettist Martin Fröst).

Demidenko is famous for his perfomances of the Russian concerto repertoire. On this CD, he performs the works of Chopin with passion and artistry. These performances were recorded live at the Witold Polish Radio Concert Studio in Warsaw in 2008.

Nikolai Demidenko studied at the Moscow Conservatoire. A medallist in the 1976 Montreal and 1978 Tchaikovsky Competitions, he made his British début in 1985. He was granted British citizenship in 1995. Demidenko has given recitals throughout the world. His frequent Wigmore Hall recitals have included the Piano Masterworks - which won a Royal Philharmonic Society award.