British Star Pianist Imogen Cooper
London's Master Musician in Solo and Chamber Piano Music
Imogen Cooper may not be a flashy performer, but her technique and artistry make her a memorable musician in either solo or chamber performances.
Known for a subtle virtuosity and a flowing technique that modestly refuses showiness, Imogen Cooper is one of London's star pianists. Her scale passages sparkle with pristine clarity and warmth. The 58-year-old musician has recorded over 15 stand-alone albums as well as a six-volume set of the works of Schubert.
Imogen's style suits the Classical, Romantic and post-Romantic composers she features. Her clearly articulated scales match the transparent simplicity of Mozart. Her warmth and depth of tone match the passion and playfulness of Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The water-like flow of her movements suits the sparkling music of Ravel.
Soloist and Chamber Musician
Not every musician can excel at both solo works (where the musician must stand on his or her own skill and every flaw is starkly exposed) and chamber works (where the musician must feel the common pulse and respond to the other players). Imogen Cooper, however, is a master at both. She can execute a shimmering Piano Concerto No. 2 (Mozart) with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields or she can storm through a turbulent yet wistful Sonata in A minor, K. 310 (Mozart).
In the Studio, On the Go
In addition to her ever-growing collection of recordings, Imogen Cooper enjoys an extensive career in live performance. Her latest season (2007/2008) saw her performing with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis in New York and playing with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra with Frans Bruggen in Amsterdam. She also toured the UK, USA, France and Belgium. Her upcoming 2008/2009 season will include a performance at the International Piano Series in London, where she will play works by Schubert from the last 6 years of his life.
In the past, Imogen Cooper has also performed with prestigious orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic, such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She also regularly directs/plays with the Britten Sinfonia and the Northern Sinfonia.
Discography
For an introduction to Imogen Cooper, listen to Beethoven, Mozart and Ravel. This album of solo work features the following:
- Beethoven's Sonata No. 28, Op. 101 (a more difficult sonata from the composer's later period)
- Mozart's Sonata in A minor, K. 310
- Ravel's cycle Miroirs
- Debussy's La Terrasse des Audiences du Clair de Lune (not to be confused with Debussy's more popular Clair de Lune).
For a full discography, please see the Askonas Holt website's section on Imogen Cooper (link provided in sources below).
Sources
Biography. Askonas Holt website's section on Imogen Cooper.
Discography. Askonas Holt website's section on Imogen Cooper.
Newhouse, Brian. "Imogen Cooper: Beautiful Hands, Built for Bach." April 14, 2008. NPR Music.
Tommasini, Anthony. "Imogen Cooper at Zankel Hall: Virtuosity Without Razzle-Dazzle." May 1, 2006. New York Times.
