Alexander Ardakov, virtuoso Russian pianist and Professor of Piano at Trinity College, played to a full hugely appreciative audience this evening.  His rich and challenging programme included works by Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky ,Beethoven ,Gluck and arrangements by Lizst.

Ardakov commenced with Seven Variations on the Theme 'God save the King' to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 91st Birthday.  This was followed by a superlative rendering of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition which enchanted the attentive audience.

After the interval we had a superb performance of three delightful Rachmaninov short pieces, Melodie op3 No 3 in E major,  Elegie op3 No 1 in E flat minor, and Polichinelle op 3  no 4  in F sharp major.  This was followed by Ardakov’s interpretation of Rachmaninov’s Ten Preludes, each of which left the audience spellbound by the intensity and passion of his playing.

The evening was very well attended with guests coming from far and wide. It was an unforgettable evening which left us all in another world.   We were indeed lucky to have a musician of Ardakov’s calibre with us for the evening, and hope that we will be able to welcome him back to Shipston again in the future.