Leeds International Piano Competition: 2021 Winner Recital
Alim Beisembayev
Part of Bristol Keyboard Festival
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Part of the Keyboard Festival
The Leeds International Piano Competition has long been one of the world’s most celebrated music competitions, launching the careers of some of the greatest pianists of our time, not least Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia. In 2018 St George’s held the first solo recital with that year’s winner, pianist Eric Lu, and it was a truly wonderful moment: musical history in the making.
In September, this 20th edition of the competition will welcome its most internationally diverse line up ever of brilliant musicians to Leeds, and St George’s will then host one of the very first public recitals by its newly announced winner, Alim Beisembayev.
Programme
Scarlatti Sonata in C sharp minor K247; Sonata in C minor K22; Sonata in B minor K87; Sonata in G K13
Beethoven Sonata No 32 Op 111
Ligeti Etudes no 2 “Cordes a vide”; no 10 “Der Zauberlehrling”; no 13 “L’escalier du diable”
Ravel “Oiseaux tristes” and “Une barque sur l’océan” from Miroirs
Chopin Barcarolle Op 60
Stravinsky 3 movements from Firebird (arr. Agosti)
Find out about the 2021 Leeds Piano Competition winner, Alim Beisembayev
Young pianist Alim Beisembayev was born in Kazakhstan in 1998 and began playing the piano at the age of 5. He moved to study at the Central Music School in Moscow in September 2008. Later that year, he won the televised, international competition “Nutcracker”. This led to wide exposure around Russia from a young age.
By the age of 12, Alim had played with numerous orchestras and conductors and after two years in Moscow, Alim moved to pursue his studies at the Purcell School for Young Musicians where he was taught by Tessa Nicholson.
In addition to his already wide performing experience, Alim won several prizes during his time at the Purcell School including the 1st prize at the Junior Cliburn International Competition in the US. In February 2016, Alim was invited to speak and perform on BBC Radio 3’s “In Tune” for promotion of his concerto performance at the Royal Festival Hall with the Purcell School Symphony Orchestra.
In 2016, Alim continued studying with Tessa Nicholson at the Royal Academy of Music where he was supported by a generous scholarship. He achieved numerous successes including being the winner of the Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Competition which led to his Wigmore Hall recital debut in June 2018.
Later that year, Alim attended the Verbier Festival Academy where he performed and had masterclasses with the world’s greatest artists. Most recently, he won the 2nd prize at the Vigo International Competition with Martha Argerich as president of the jury.
Alim enjoys collaborating with other musicians and regularly performs in chamber ensembles in London.
Currently, Alim is currently completing his master’s degree at the Royal College of Music with professors Vanessa Latarche and Dmitry Alexeev. He is generously supported by the ABRSM Scholarship and is an award holder of the Countess of Munster, Hattori Foundation, and the Drake Calleja Fund trusts.
Alim is one of the musicians on the Talent Unlimited scheme.
Pre-event Food & Drink
Enjoy delicious drinks and light bites from our Café Bar ahead of the event.
Available to pre-order when booking your tickets, you can choose from a selection of house drinks on arrival, accompanied by a board of bread, olives and dips (all Vegetarian). Just select which option – for one or two people – you would like, before checkout.
Your pre-ordered food and drink will be available to collect from the Café Bar from 60 minutes before the event. It’s the perfect way to begin your event experience at St George’s!