Russian-Lithuanian pianist, Jelena Makarova, makes her ILAMS debut with a recital of Spanish music for piano by three major pcomposers of the XXth century, Falla, Albéniz and Turina. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Jelena has performed worldwide at venues such as Carnegie Hall, St John’s Smith Square and the Purcell Room, as well as appearances on national radio.
Programa / Programme:
Manuel de Falla – Nocturno
Isaac Albéniz – Chants d’Espagne
Joaquín Turina – Danzas Fantásticas
About the pianist: Jelena Makarova is a Russian-born Lithuanian pianist. She began her training at M K Ciurlionis School of Arts (Lithuania’s specialist boarding arts and music school). Jelena then continued her studies at the Lithuanian Music Academy, which she graduated from with honours, obtaining her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance, Accompaniment and Piano Teaching. During her studies, Jelena became a winner of the National Piano Competition for Young Pianists. Her winner’s recital was broadcast on the Lithuanian National Radio. During this period she also performed at the British Embassy in Lithuania. Jelena then moved to the UK and was accepted to study at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where she studied with Colin Stone, and chamber music with Nicola Eimer and Michael Dussek. During her studies, Jelena had a public master class with the renowned French pianist, Pierre Laurent-Aimard. She also performed at Gyorgy Kurtag’s prestigious music festival Games, Signs and Messages. She was coached by Gyorgy Kurtag and was chosen to perform at the festival’s gala with the guest appearance of Mitsuko Uchida. Jelena graduated from the Academy in 2006 obtaining her Postgraduate Diploma in Piano Performance (PGDip). She performs regularly in recitals and festivals in the UK, Sweden, Russia and USA, which include performances at the Carnegie Hall, New York; St. George’s Hall, Bristol; St John’s, Smith Square, the Purcell Room, St. James’s Piccadilly, Blackheath Halls, the Brunel Museum, the Foundling Museum, and at Bristol, Ripon and Chelmsford Cathedrals. Jelena also performed for the prestigious Pianists of the World series at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Liszt International Piano Festival in London, Beethoven Piano Society of Europe, Schubert Institute UK, London Contemporary Music Festival 2017. She also performs recitals for various music societies and music clubs such as Portsmouth Music Club, Kings Lynn Music Society, St. Boniface Music Society.
