On April 19, the Classical Encounters Foundation presents a recital by pianist Dmitri Ratser. His program will feature several works by Chopin: Polonaise in C-sharp Minor, Op.26 No.1; Two Mazurkas: C-sharp Minor, Op.6 No.2 and F Minor, Op.63 No.2; Two Waltzes: A Minor, Op.34 No.2 and C-sharp Minor, Op.64 No.2. Also included on the program are Liszt: Fantasia quasi Sonata “Apres Une Lecture Du Dante” ; Sonetto del Petrarca in E Major, No.104;  Transcendental Etude in F Minor, No.10; Rachmaninoff: Sonata No.2 B-flat Minor, Op.36 and Alexander Rosenblatt (b.1956, Moscow): Jazz Variations on a Theme by Paganini. A delicious buffet will follow the program.

Dmitri Ratser was born in Moscow into a family of professional musicians. While still a child, he was accepted to study under at the Moscow Conservatory, and later at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Shortly after graduating, Mr. Ratser won First Prize at the prestigious All-Soviet Union Rachmaninoff Competition (Moscow), and three years later won First Prize at the Liszt International Jubilee Competition (Budapest). His expertise in Rachmaninov—he is one of the few pianists to include in his repertoire the composer’s complete works for piano and orchestra—led to Ratser’s selection as a key performer in the ceremony commemorating the composer’s 125th anniversary at his birthplace in Ivanovka, Russia.

Sunday, April 19, 2015 – 4:00PM
Dmitri Ratser performs Chopin for Classical Encounters Foundation
The Hamburg Room – Home of Ronna Binn-Hersh
19365 Lemmer Drive, Tarzana CA
Tickets for concert and buffet: $45 premium / $35 general / $20 students
Info: www.classicalencounters.org or (818)343-3095

[Source: Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter]