Pianist Tim Horton has revealed a major addition to his portfolio for the 2024-2025 season and beyond – a groundbreaking cycle that places music by Brahms alongside works from the first and second Viennese Schools. The first recital in the series takes place this Friday in Sheffield, promoted by Music in the Round who will present the cycle over two seasons.
Already well known for his adventurous programming and fearless approach to both standard works and lesser-known 20th century repertoire, Tim Horton has curated a new cycle that contrasts music by Brahms with compositions from the two Viennese schools that existed on either side of his ouvre.
Each of the six programmes in the cycle takes a piece by Brahms as its starting point, with selected works including the four Ballades, op. 10, the Intermezzi, op. 117, and Variations on a Theme by Handel, op. 24. Music by the Classical-era Viennese masters Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven foreshadow Brahms’ repertoire for solo piano, while revolutionary compositions by Berg, Schoenberg and Webern transport the listener to the distinctive harmonic world of the Second Viennese School, and illustrate the evolution of piano repertoire as it moved into the new century.
Since making his debut in 1995 with Schönberg’s Piano Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle at the recommendation of Alfred Brendel, Tim has gone on to forge a career which sees him equally at home as both soloist and chamber musician. In demand as a recitalist, previous seasons have seen him undertake Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin cycles, and solo concerts at prestigious festivals and venues across the United Kingdom.
Full details of each programme in the cycle may be found via the links below.
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 1
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 2
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 3
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 4
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 5
Viennese Schools and Brahms Part 6