Nutcrackers, Numbers and International Stages: Pianist Alexandra Dariescu reveals 24/25 Season programming

Highlights include:

• New album to be released on Signum Classics with Tianyi Lu and Philharmonia, celebrating Clara Schumann and Grieg

• The Alexandra Dariescu Award to be given at the Leeds International Piano Competition for the first time, awarded to the pianist with the best performance of a work by a woman composer

• Alexandra Dariescu’s The Nutcracker and I presents its 100th performance at Milton Court Concert Hall, where the programme was premiered

• UK performances include Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields

• Alexandra will debut with several orchestras, including Seattle Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic

• Alexandra and conductor Timothy Redmond present Count Me In with the London Symphony Orchestra - an interactive concert exploring links between music and maths, designed for Key Stage 2 students

• Starting in September, Alexandra will begin a new role as Professor of Piano at her alma mater Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Continuing to take the world by storm with her innovation and excellence in performance, pianist Alexandra Dariescu today reveals her 24/25 season programming, which promises breathtaking performances, fearless curiosity and diverse and thought-provoking repertoire.

Album Release

On 16 August, Alexandra will release a new combination of concertos recorded with conductor Tianyi Lu and the Philharmonia on Signum Classics. Bringing new colour and insight to Clara Schumann’s Concerto in A Minor and Grieg’s A Minor Concerto, this album is reflective of Alexandra’s journey in achieving gender equality in her concerto programming for three consecutive seasons.

Ahead of the album release, Alexandra says:

“I got to know Clara Schumann’s Concerto and fell in love with this youthful piece, full of dreams, fiendish virtuosity and a testament to what an innovative performer and composer Clara was, even as a teenager. [Recording these works] It made me realise once again what a responsibility we all have to show both sides of history, to mirror our society in concert programmes and to shine a light on the often-overlooked brilliance of women composers”

Leeds International Piano Competition

Alexandra will make her broadcasting debut at the Leeds International Piano Competition 2024 (11-21 September), as she continues on her mission to inspire the next generation of pianists. The competition, presented jointly by Alexandra and Petroc Trelawny for BBC Television and Medici TV, will see 24 pianists compete for eight awards, including The Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal, The Marion Thorpe Silver Medal and – the newest accolade – the Alexandra Dariescu Award for outstanding performance of a work by a woman composer, the first award of its kind.

The Nutcracker & I

This season, Alexandra’s piano recital production The Nutcracker and I returns for its 100th performance at Milton Court Concert Hall, where the piece was premiered in 2017. An original, ground-breaking multimedia performance for piano solo with dance and digital animation, The Nutcracker and I has since enjoyed international acclaim and has drawn thousands of young audiences into concert halls across Europe, Australia, China, the Emirates and North America, realising Dariescu’s vision of building bridges and making classical music more accessible to the public.

 The Nutcracker and I will embark on a European tour, starting at Milton Court Concert Hall (26 November), followed by the Parisian premiere at La Seine Musicale (29 November – 1 December). In addition to performances in Weikersheim (3 December), Dijon (6 & 7 December), Ljubljana (15 & 16 December), Dortmund (20 & 21 December), Potsdam (23 December) and Newcastle (29 December).

 Debuts and Touring

This season, Alexandra makes her debut with three international orchestras across North America, Australia and Europe. Reuniting with conductor Tianyi Lu, Alexandra will perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra (26, 28 & 29 September).

 These performances will be closely followed by a tour to Australia, where Alexandra will make her debut with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (4 & 5 October) performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21. Whilst touring to Australia, Alexandra will perform Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (10 & 12 October) under the direction of Fabien Gabel, before giving a Masterclass at the Sydney Conservatoire of Music (15 October) and a solo recital at Canberra Snow Concert Hall (16 October).

 Under the baton of Magnus Fryklund, Alexandra will give her debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (9 January), with a performance of Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Other international performances this year include Grieg’s Piano Concerto with Danish Philharmonic Orchestra (21 February), Mozart Rondo and Clara Schumann Piano Concerto with the Iasi Philharmonic Orchestra (14 March) and Doreen Carwithen’s Piano Concerto with Hof Symphony Orchestra (28 March).

 UK Performances

In addition to international performances, Alexandra will return to three iconic UK orchestras to give performances of concertos all written by women composers. Taking to the stage in Sheffield, Alexandra will bring Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto to life alongside the Royal Northern Sinfonia and conductor Dinis Souza (23 October).

 This work by Clara Schumann is a staple in Alexandra’s repertoire, demonstrating the composer’s unique ability to blend lyrical melodies, intricate piano passages and dynamic orchestral conversation reflecting technicality and romanticism. Alexandra will also perform this work alongside Mozart’s Rondo with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at the orchestra’s spiritual home in Trafalgar Square (21 March).

 Count Me In

Alexandra rounds off the season with Count Me In, an interactive concert exploring links between music and maths, designed for Key Stage 2 (19 June). Co-created with conductor and presenter Timothy Redmond and the London Symphony Orchestra, Count Me In explores the irresistible combination of notes and numbers, looking towards a final performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto added by interactive songs by the audience. The performance also features music by Clara Schumann, Hector Villa-Lobos and Florence Price to create a fun, inspiring and interactive show.