• Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova at Breinton

  • Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova at Breinton

  • Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

  • Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

    Alina Ibragimova & Cedric Tiberghien at Breinton

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Sometimes it is a surprisingly long, and complicated, process to materialise a recital. There are quite a lot of things, unseen by the public, to be managed and co-ordinated before we can present a recital to our audience. However, when the recital is richly packed with profound musical moments, everything before it disappears; the joy is irreplaceable. Last night’s performance by violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Cédric Tiberghien was certainly one which got me totally immersed.

The highlight of the first half to me was Janacek’s Violin Sonata, the only violin sonata he wrote. In the tense yet lyrical first movement, one could feel the severity and fiery temperament, which was directed straight at us in a passionate and non-negotiable way. In the second movement Ballad, Alina’s violin lyricism was pure, sweet and warm, and it was supported by the caring hands of Cédric on the piano.  

There was a fierce loyalty between Alina and Cédric, and the partnership breathed the same air and shared the same mood.  The duo’s strengths were much more than tossing and catching phrases; their negotiation of the subtle rhythmical accents and sound emphasis was mutual, natural and immediate. I thought this was brilliantly expressed in the Beethoven.

John Cage’s Six Melodies was a totally mysterious and haunting six-minute experience. Somewhat detached from the reality, but indescribably catchy.

Schuman’s Violin Sonata No. 2 immediately evoked a whirlwind of emotion, bringing an intensity of (almost) life and death. Vigorous and totally convincing, at times Cédric seemed to have a total go at the piano, looking like he was banging on it to produce the loudest volume. However, the reality was anything but that – his variety of tone, sometimes warm and caressing, sometimes crisp and distinctive, was the most valuable gift to match Alina’s sublime clarity and deeply engaged sounds. In the serene third movement in G major, a set of variations, the violin tone was eternally sincere and silvery. And it felt as if the piano part was gently and preciously dressing it to complete the beauty.

Performing music from baroque to new commissions on both modern and period instruments, Alina Ibragimova has established a reputation as one of the most accomplished and intriguing violinists of her generation. This was illustrated in her prominent presence at the 2015 BBC Proms, which included a symphonic concerto, a performance with a baroque ensemble and two late-night Royal Albert Hall recitals featuring the complete Bach partitas and sonatas, for which The Guardian commented “The immediacy and honesty of Ibragimova’s playing has the curious ability to collapse any sense of distance between performer and listener”.

Cédric Tiberghien is a French pianist who has established a truly international career. He has been particularly applauded for his versatility, as demonstrated by his wide-ranging repertoire, interesting programming, an openness to explore innovative concert formats and his dynamic chamber music partnerships.

Performances this season include the London Symphony Orchestra with François-Xavier Roth (Debussy’s Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra) and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (Messiaen’s Turangalila).

  • Beethoven
    Sonata Op.12 No. 3

  • Janacek
    Violin Sonata 

  • John Cage     
    Six melodies

  • Schumann
    Violin Sonata in D minor, Op 121 No. 2