Renowned pianist promises night of Russian romance

Sunday 01 April 2018

Renowned pianist Paolo Giacometti is set to give islanders an evening of Russian romance when he takes to the Fort Regent stage with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra on 7 April.

Giacometti will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3, and the audience can also look forward to the orchestra playing Liadov’s 'The Enchanted Lake' and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

Born in Milan (Italy) in 1970, Giacometti studied with Jan Wijn at the Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam, where he graduated with the highest distinction. He has won many prizes at both national and international competitions and played with renowned orchestras under distinguished conductors such as Frans Brüggen, Kenneth Montgomery, Laurent Petitgirard, Michael Tilkin and Jaap van Zweden.

Alison Stewart, the Chair of the JSO Players, said: “The Russian Romantics concert is going to be a glorious feast of beautiful, passionate music." 

Founded in 1986 by two local musicians, John Grimshaw and John Asplet with the support of Keith Baker and Marjorie Grimshaw, the orchestra aims to be "a true community orchestra, devoted to the needs of local players, audiences and the promotion of orchestral music for everybody on the island." Their first concert was held in December 1986 under the baton of conductor Robin McEwan. The orchestra has since accompanied many great soloists including Nigel Kennedy, John Lill, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little and many others.  Philip Ellis first conducted the JSO in 1992 and has been the orchestra’s Principal Conductor since 1995. 

Pictured: The Jersey Symphony Orchestra performing at their Glitter Ball.

Last year, Fort Regent decided to move Eventbrite, as their previous ticketing system could not manage demand for the most popular events. Ahead of the "Russian Romantics" concert they moved to reassure Jersey Symphony Orchestra supporters, who had, in the past, chosen to buy their tickets face to face at Fort Regent, or over the telephone. 

Jo Mousdale, Fort Regent Centre Manager, said: “We want to reassure customers without access to the internet and without an email address that they can still buy tickets for events at Fort Regent. Customers who would prefer to buy paper tickets can visit the centre up to a day before the event, and the Customer Services team will serve them."