Passed events...

On December 6 Daniel Propper played the Sonatas No. 4 to 7 at a recital in the Swedish Church in Paris.

Daniel played Beethoven's three first sonatas on November 9 at a recital in the Maison Heinrich Heine in Paris. This was the first in a series of nine concerts including the complete 32 sonatas by Beethoven in this hall.
Maison Heinrich Heine >

Daniel Propper gave a recital in Kuwait on October 25. The concert was presented by the 'Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia' and held in the Hashemi II Ballroom in the Radisson SAS Hotel. Daniel performed  works by Beethoven, Grieg, Ravel and Liszt.  He also participated in the TV show 'Good morning Kuwait' on October 26.Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia >

Daniel Propper gave a recital and received a prize from SWEA (Swedish Women's Educational Association) in the 'Grand Salon' of 'Musée de l'Armée in the 'Hôtel des Invalides' in Paris on September 29. The Ambassador of Sweden honoured the concert with his presence. Daniel performed works by Swedish composers Stenhammar and Rangström as well as a new collection of Lyric Pieces by Grieg. He ended the recital with Liszt's Sonata in b minor.

Daniel perfomed together with members of the 'Ensemble Orchestral de Paris' in Salle Cortot in Paris on September 27. In an afternoon concert they played Haydn's last trio in E-flat major  for piano, violin and cello and Chausson's Concert for piano, violin and string quartet.  This same programme will be presented in the city of Vendôme on May 16 in 2009.

Daniel Propper was invited to play in the live broadcast from the French National Music Radio on September 9 in a radio show called "Un Madi Idéal". He played Lyric Pieces by Grieg, a Fantasy by Swedish composer Wilhelm Stenhammar and the last variation (n° 30) and the Aria from the Goldberg Variations by Bach.  Daniel was also interviewed by the radio host Arièle Butaux.

The recordings of Grieg's Lyric Pieces have received excellent reviews in British and French press. 'The Gramophone' wrote about the 1st volume in it's September issue ('Gramophone recommends') and about the 2nd volume in the October issue. French magazines as 'Le monde de la musique' and  Pianiste' also published favourable reviews on Daniel's recordings.

Daniel Propper played for the fifth consecutive year in the Château de Lourmarin in Provence in France. He introduced a new sonata programme on August 24 including Beethoven's first sonata, Schubert's sonata in A major, D. 664, and the sonata in B minor by Liszt.  It has become an annual summer tradition for Daniel to pay a visit to the great Château in Lourmarin. As allways a great crowd welcomed the pianist.
Château de Lourmarin >

Daniel took part in a concert broadcasted live by the French National Music channel (France Musique) on August 20 in Sablé-sur-Sarthe. He perfomed music by Brahms, Fibich and  Podgaïtz together with the violonist Alexandre Brussilovsky.

Daniel was featured on July 18 at the festival 'Liszt en Provence'. He played the Goldberg Variations by Bach, then Liszt's Variations on a theme by Bach and List's 'Après une lecture de Dante'.  A wonderful Fazioli concert grand piano was put on a stage in front ot Château d'Estève. All very inviting for an interesting musical journey treating the links between Bach and Liszt. 

Liszt en Provence > 

Daniel took part in two concerts on july 11 and 12 at the Festival ‘Randonnés Musicales en Gâtinais’ in Essonne near Paris. He played together with the violinist Alexandre Brussilovksy, also artistic director of the festival, and with the cellist Suren Bagratuni. They performed works by Brahms (First Trio), Franck (Violin Sonata), Debussy (Cello Sonata), Ravel (Piano pieces from "Miroirs") and premiered the new exciting trio by Armenian composer Gagik Hovounts.

Daniel played together with violinist Alexandre Brussilovsky at a concert in the Town hall of the Third Arrondissement in Paris on june 24. They performed works by Achron, Mendelssohn, Podgaitz, Gershwin and Franck. This event attracted a huge amounts of spectators.  The hall could unfortunately not let everyone in but those who got seats or were standing outside the hall enjoyed a very varied and rich program.

An interview made for French television channels TNA and BDM TV was screened during two weeks in June. The interview included a discussion on Bach's Goldberg Variations with Daniel Chocron.

Now released: the new DVD of the film "The Goldberg Variations by Daniel Propper". It's a film by Serge Gauthier-Pavlov, produced by l'AUTRE Film and distributed by DOM Disques.

Schubert in London. On June 8 Daniel was back for a recital in the Wigmore Hall in London. The programme featured a momumental two-hour programme of the Three last sonatas by Schubert: D. 958 in C minor, D. 959 in A major and D. 960 in B-flat major. Daniel gave two encores.
Wigmore Hall >

Daniel performed the two last sonatas in A major, D. 959 and in B-flat major, D. 960 by Schubert at an exiting piano recital on June 4 in the church of his home-town Dourdan in France. 
New Cd released: Grieg's lyric Piecs - voume 2. The record company Skarbo is distributed in France by Integral Distribution and in England by Discovery Records. This disc was featured on June 10 on French Music Radio Station (France Musique). The first volume has allready recieved fine acclaim when released in the second half of 2007 and was featured in UK on June 14 by Classic FM Radio in “The New CD Show” presented by David Mellor. It was one of five CD choices alongside recordings by artists as Domingo, Vilazon and Horowitz.

On May 30 Daniel Propper took part in the piano festival 'Un piano à Collonges', near Lyon in France, where he performed the Goldberg Variations.
Un Piano à Collonges >

Daniel Propper played the three first Sonatas, Opus 2, by Beethoven at a concert in the Swedish Church in Paris on Sunday 4 May. This was the very first concert in a series dedicated two the complete 32 sonatas.

The European Music TV channel Mezzo started to show the film 'Ten Lyric Pieces by Daniel Propper' on March 15. Mezzo, specializes in classical music and jazz and is available in 37 european countries (except Italy and UK).

Daniel was invited to play at the 'Queen's Gate Terrace Concerts' in London on March 13. He performed music by Schubert, Grieg and Liszt in this recital, presented by the Vernon Ellis Charitable Foundation.

Daniel Propper was featured again at a concert in the beautiful place of Les Vieilles Tourettes, in Provence, on March 9. His programme included pieces by the Swedish composer Peterson-Berger as well as by Schubert and Grieg.

Another review on the first disc of Grieg's Lyric Pieces was published in France on January 3 by "Le Dauphiné Libéré". It's signed by Philippe Tomasini:
"The Peer Gynt Suite or the sparkling Piano concerto by Grieg often make us forget his orther compositions, notably his beautiful harvest of works for paino alone, like these four albums of he Lyric Pieces. The recording of these fruity pages that Daniel Propper has made with such elegance and sensivity brings us right back to a true appreciation of this music which is full of charm without being overly sentimental."


Archives 2007

ResMusica.com, a French music magazine, wrote (on december 19) on Daniel's new disc 'Lyric pieces' by Grieg:
'The esay-listening character of these little pieces must not mask the meticulous work of the pianist to do justice to these keyboard miniatures, which can easily descend into a perfomance of poor taste in the hands of the inexpert. Propper's strength lies in his ability to assimilate the different sources of inspiration and to express them with due introspection, enabling us to describe this disc as a kind of Grieg-Propper personal diary.'
read more (in French only) >

Daniel took part in and performed at a special New Year's Eve concert on December 31 at the 'Confidencen', Royal Theatre in Ulriksdal, near Stockholm, Sweden. He played Liszt's famous 'Second Hungarian Rhapsody'. This event was presented by the well-known singer Kjerstin Dellert.

Daniel gave an all-Grieg recital in the Norwegian Student's house at Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris on December 6. On December 2 Daniel gave a recital in the Neuilly Theatre "Le Village" next to Paris. This programme included Schubert's C minor sonata, D. 958, and Grieg's Impressions and Peer Gynt Suite.

He was back to Danderyd, near Stockholm, for a recital on November 22. Invited by the Danderyd Concert Society, of which he has been a steady guest druing many years, he played Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite and the Impressions as well as Gershwin's Three Preludes and Ravel's Miroirs.

Daniel Propper wants to thank everyone who helped to support the Grieg-Festival, two concerts organized in Salle Cortot in Paris during October and November. This was a very sucessful tribute to Edvard Grieg, who used to be a frequent guest to the French capital. The concerts included one piano recital with works such as the Holberg suite, the Ballade, the last book of the Lyric Pieces and the first Peer Gynt Suite. In a second concert the soprano Klara Csordas joined for some of the most beautiful songs by Grieg, while the well-known actor Pierre Santini read texts about Grieg, thus beautifully displaying the life of the Norwegian composer to everyone present.

The first CD - albums 1-4 - of the Lyric Pieces by Grieg was issued by Skarbo in France during the month of November.

Daniel performed Schubert's C minor sonata, D. 958, and Grieg's Ballade and Peer gynt Suite at a recital in the Steinway Room in Vienna on November 5.

The Sound & Music festival in Brussels hosted the Last American Dream project - Piano and Urban Art - during three exciting days, 12 to 14 October in the Tour &Taxis old postal building. Daniel performed Jeremy Bentams music in several showcases. The conditions were extraordinary in this gigantic space. Graffiti artists worked on and exposed their paintings inspired from each of the piano pieces from the album and which were performed by Daniel Propper on an incredible Steinway.

On October 5 he played Grieg (Peer Gynt suite and Ballade) and Ravel (Miroirs) at a concert in the church Saint-Jean de Malte in Aix-en-Provence. This was Daniel's third perfomance in a concert organized by the organisation supporting the construction of the church's new organ.

On September 24 he played the Goldberg Variations at a private concert of the prestigious festival Piano aux Jacobins in Toulouse, France. A very large audience attended this concert in the stunning hall of the abbey.

On September 18 he gave the "Tribute to Grieg" recital at a concert organized by the very active music society "Lilla sällskapet" based in Gothenburg. He performed in a hall of the University. This was his second visit to this music society.

On September 13 Daniel gave a piano recital in the very distinguished hall of the Royal Theatre of "Confidencen" next to Stockholm in Sweden. He offered a new porgramme "Tribute to Grieg", including, among other works, the Suite from Peer Gynt in Grieg's own piano arrangement.

On September 6 Daniel gave his Vienna debut with a piano recital including the Goldberg Variations by Bach, Liszt's Second Hungarian Rapsody and Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit. The hall, Bösendorfer Saal, was more than packed at this occasion. Daniel wishes to send many thanks to his friends in Vienna!

Daniel was back in concert with a live radio broadcast in Budapest, Hungary on September 3. This concert featured Grieg's Lyric Pieces and songs together with Hungarian soprano Klara Csordas.

Daniel recorded all "Lyric Pieces" (10 books) and the "Impressions" by Grieg in sessions from July 30 through August 3 in Paris. This recording will be released in France in the end of October 2007 by Skarbo.

Daniel was asked to perform a recital on July 4, at the exceptional reception organized by the Paris University in Chateau de Ferrières-en-Brie, near Paris. There he performed works by Bach, Chopin, Grieg, Poulenc, Ravel and Liszt.

Daniel played in the Holywell Music Room in Oxford, on July 1. The highly charged programme included Grieg's Holberg-Suite, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit and Schubert's last sonata.

Daniel performed on June 21 at a largely attended concert in Talence, near Bordeaux on the French Yearly Music Feast. The varied programme included works by Chopin, Liszt, Satie, Poulenc and also Gershwin, "Fats" Waller and Jeremy Bentam.

He performed on June 13 with mezzo-soprano Klara Csordas and narrator Gerard Maarek in a concert with songs and Lyric Pieces by Grieg and texts about and by the composer in the Swedish church in Paris.

Daniel performed five books from Grieg's Lyric Pieces on June 5 at The Château de Lourmarin in Provence.

It has been decided that Daniel will be back for a piano recital in the Wigmore Hall in London on June 8 (Sunday) by 2008. The programme will feature the Three last sonatasSchubert written at the end of his life: D. 958 in C minor, D. 959 in A major and D. 960 in B-flat major.

Special thanks again for those who participated in making a triumph of this year's concert (Bach's Goldberg Variations) and for those who support and take part in this next great event. This review of The Wigmore Hall recital appeared in Britain's oldest classical journal "Musical Opinion" in the March-April issue 2007.

Reviewed by Max Harrison...
"The performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations, which Daniel Propper gave at the Wigmore Hall on 8 january, was a reconciliation of emotion, intellect and refined pianism. Admirable throughout was the exact characterisation of each Variation as in 4 or 14. Likewise, Propper's keyboard skill was everywhere evident, as in the fleet kaleidoscope of 5, 11 or the almost rumbustious French Overture of 16, which marks the beginning of the work's second half. Yet it was the prominence of musical emotion that was my overriding impression, this being most apparent, almost paradoxically, in some of the most 'learned' pièces, such as 15, the Canon at the fifth, or 21, the Canon at the seventh. It was in Variation 25, however, the so-called Black pearl, the height of Bachian romanticism, that feeling was most intensely expressed (...)

(...) Propper gave the score absolutely complete, which is to say with all repeats duly made, while his musical insight and pianistic skill were vividly evident in the ways he varied these repeats. Thus, the connections deepened and broadened so that what earlier had appeared a sequence of character variations became a single body of music. Yet, finally, all complexity was banished and with the repeat of the Aria simplicity was regained."

Daniel performed the complete Lyric Pieces by Grieg during the months of February to Juin in two different series of three concerts in the Swedish church in Paris and in the Maison Heinrich Heine at the "Cité internationale universitaire". Through these sixty-six miniatures the audience got a rare chance to follow, in concert, the composer's emotional development during more than 35 years. Many people followed these exceptional concerts.

On March 4 Daniel performed the rare violin concerto by Miklos Rozsa with Anastasia Khitruk. This in an acclaimed concert in the Swedish church in Paris just ahead of Anastasias upcoming recording with the National Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow.

Daniel continued his series of concerts in Brussels, at the Conrad Hotel on February 21 and March 21, where the music by the contemporary composer Jeremy Bentam Jeremy Bentam is presented to a new audience. The CD "The last American Dream" has been released in Belgium by AEDEN/PIAS.

Daniel played a programme of Grieg's Lyric Pieces together with French music (by Chopin, Satie, Poulenc, Debussy and Ravel) in Södertälje, a town just south of Stockholm on February 17. This brought an exceptionally full audience to the hall.. A packed Wigmore Hall listened to Daniel Propper in his London debut on January 8 when he performed the Goldberg Variations to great acclaim.

A crowd near 500 gave a warm reception to his Bach, performed from memory, respecting all repeats in a concert without intermission.

Daniel wishes to thank all the sponsors and others who supported this concert and made it to such a sucess.
Many thanks for your feed-back in the Guest Book!


Archives 2006


CD Release: The recording of The Goldberg Variations (Skarbo) has been released in France and in the UK after its realise earlier in the year in the US.
Sales online on these sites: Discovery records UK and CD Univers USA

This followed to a series of three concerts in churches in Stockholm. All of which has had a connection with Daniel during his childhood and youth in his Swedish home town. These sucessful concerts showed that the Goldberg Variations on piano attract large audiences.

In December 2006 Daniel Propper was brought to concerts in Geneva - in aid of the association "Coeurs pour tous" - in Brussels - the first show-case of the piano pieces by composer Jeremy Bentam . He also played at festivals in Nice and in Yvelines.

Daniel played on November 30 at a Benefit Concert in aid of the St Gregory the Great's School in Oxford.

On November 26 Daniel Propper performed the Three last sonatas by Schubert at a special music service in the modern church of Bunkeflo, near Malmö in Sweden.

Daniel played a recital in Danderyd, near Stockholm on October 12. He performed the last Schubert Sonata - D. 960 - and the Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. As encore he played pieces by Grieg.

Daniel played Grieg's Haugtussa song cycle with mezzo-soprano Julia Brian on French National Radio - France Musique - broadcasted in early October. Their concert featuring Wagner's "Wesendonklieder", Grieg's "Haugtussa" and Brahms' Zigeunerlieder in Paris on October 7 was highly acclaimed.

In September Daniel Propper played with Franck Della Valle, violin, and Sarah Veilhan, cello, Beethoven's Archduke trio as well as Schumann's third and Shostakowitch's second trio in the Bretagne Moncontour Festival and in the beautiful Salle Cortot in Paris

Daniel played with violinist Anastasia Khitruk at the Royal Palace Festival in Stockholm on September 7. Their program featured, among others, Beethoven's seventh sonata, the swedish composer Tor Aulin's Aquarels and Ravel's Tzigane. They where also invited to play live at one of the most watched morning shows on Swedish television.

Daniel came back late June from an intense period of solo concerts around France : Paris, Bordeaux (2 recitals) and Provence where he played several different programs including two of the last Schubert sonatas, three major works by Mozart, the Don Juan Fantasy by Liszt, Barcarolle by Chopin, Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin and much more.

Daniel made his Canadian Debut on the 4th of June 2006 with the Bach Goldberg Variations which were featured in the Boris Brott Summer Festival in Burlington, near Toronto.

Archives 2005
Archives 2004