Paul Roberts

Scarlatti, Chopin, Debussy and Ravel: Paul Roberts presents a programme covering three distinct epoques, beginning in the 18th century, where virtuoso keyboard music began, with two short works by Scarlatti (originally for harpsichord). The 19th century gave birth to the unique sound world of Chopin (whom Debussy called ‘the greatest of all, for with the piano alone he discovered everything’), whose works became the bench mark for all subsequent piano music, for composers, pianists and audiences alike. This evening will include Chopin's great Ballade no.4 in F minor. At the beginning of the 20th century Debussy and Ravel revered no less the music of their 18th-century compatriots Rameau and Couperin, whose presence in the second half of this recital echos in compositions that we might see as the apotheosis, on the modern piano, of what was begun on harpsichord: Debussy's Hommage à Rameau and Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin.