Egyptian classical pianist Mohamed Shams will return to New York for his solo debut at Weill Recital Hall/
Carnegie Hall on Wednesday April 15 at 8pm, featuring a diverse program of works including Chopin, Carter, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Scarlatti and Egyptian composer Gamal Abdel Rahim.
Hailed as "world class" by Philippe Entremont, the celebrated pianist and conductor, and dubbed "brilliant" by host
Bob Sherman of WQXR-NY McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, Mohamed Shams is an exceptionally gifted Middle Eastern musician steeped in Western classical music tradition.
The
Carnegie Hall program, with its East/West blending of musical cultures, demonstrates Mr. Shams' belief that "music is music." According to Shams, "the beauty of music reaches across boundaries. Despite, or perhaps because of all the turmoil in the Middle East, it is more vital than ever to make music. Music breaks down barriers and builds bridges between nations and people."
Mohamed Shams observes that few people are aware that Egypt has a long and storied classical music tradition. "I am an Egyptian classical pianist," he said. "To many, this may appear anomalous; I suspect that for most of the worldwide audience for this art form, Egyptian classical artists are a well-kept secret. However, Egypt was the first, and remains the most cosmopolitan of the Arab nations in this region. In fact, the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo, for over a century the only opera house in the Middle East, was built in 1869 to celebrate the inauguration of the Suez Canal. Verdi's opera 'Aida' received its premiere there."
Mr. Shams recently returned from Cairo, where he performed Beethoven's 4th piano concerto on January 10th with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Venezuelan conductor and violinist Eddy Marcano. The Cairo Symphony is the oldest and largest orchestra in the Arab Middle East, and Shams has performed with the ensemble since the age of 16.
Last November, Shams presented Masterpieces of 19th and 20th Century Composers at the Bruno Walter Auditorium/NY Public Library for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center. He has been critically lauded for his performances abroad, including appearances with the Royal National Orchestra of Scotland and the Royal Conservatory of Scotland Orchestra (2012). Mohamed Shams is the recipient of numerous prizes and honors in recognition of his artistry.
EGYPTIAN PIANIST MOHAMED SHAMS IN RECITAL will take place on WEDNESDAY APRIL 15 - 8:00pm -Weill Recital Hall/
Carnegie Hall (Enter Weill Recital Hall on 57th street, between 7th and 6th Avenues). Tickets:
www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2015/4/15/0800/PM/Mohamed-Shams-Piano/ or CarnegieCharge: 212-247-7800. Prices: Orchestra: $40; Balcony: $25.
PROGRAM:
D. Scarlatti: Sonata #K.466 in F minor and Sonata #K.455 in G major
F. Mendelssohn: Opus 6 Songs Without Words (andante, allegro leggiero, andante tranquillo, presto, moderato, allegretto non troppo)
M. Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit (Ondine, le Gibet, Scarbo)
INTERMISSION
Gamal Abdel Rahim: Elegy
E. Carter: Catenaires (2006)
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 3 Op. 58 in B minor (allegro maestoso, scherzo: molto vivace, largo, finale: presto non tanto; agitato)
ABOUT MOHAMED SHAMS: Mohamed Shams studied piano at the Conservatoire of Music, the Academy of the Arts in Cairo, Egypt, graduating with distinction in 2004. In 2003, he was awarded a one-year Fulbright grant to study with Marilyn Neeley in Washington DC. In 2008, he enrolled on full scholarship in the Master of Piano Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Dr. Marc Silverman, Lawrence Dutton (Emerson Quartet) and Sylvia Rosenberg (MSM, Juilliard School).
Upon graduation from MSM, Shams enrolled in 2011, again on full scholarship, in the Master of Music program at the Royal Conservatoire of Music, Glasgow, Scotland, studying with Aaron Shorr and
Steven Osborne. He is currently enrolled in the Artist Diploma program at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, studying with
David Westfall.
As a soloist, Shams has performed with a number of orchestras, among which the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, beginning at age 16; with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Enrique Batiz at the Cairo Opera House, and with the Royal National Scottish Orchestra on a 3-city Scottish tour, also with the Egyptian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, the London Chamber Players, the Repertory Symphony (USA), at the Beethovensaal in Bonn under the baton of Peter Gulke, with the Manhattan School of Music Symphony, Philippe Entremont conducting, and the Royal Conservatory of Scotland Orchestra. Shams gave the opening recital celebrating the 200th anniversary of
Franz Liszt for the International Music Center at the historic Manasterly Palace, Cairo.
On January 10, 2015 he played Beethoven's 4th piano concerto with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Venezuelan conductor Eddy Marcano. He repeated this performance in back-to-back appearances in Connecticut with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, conducted by Joseph Hodge, and the Hartt School Symphony Orchestra with
Edward Cumming, on February 7th and 8th 2015.
Shams is the recipient of a number of scholarships, prizes, distinctions, awards and honors. He was awarded the Silver Medal - the highest honor - by the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 2012.
He has participated in master classes by world-famous pianists, and in the Hamptons Pianofestf. Shams was the featured artist on New York's classical music radio station, WQXR, on the McGraw-Hill Companies Young Artists Showcase, hosted by Robert (Bob) Sherman in September 2012, and twice again in October 2014.
In addition to his performances as a solo recitalist, Shams has participated in numerous chamber music concerts in Europe and the USA. He is a member of Chamber Music America. He is also an accomplished accompanist.
Mohamed Shams will make his
Carnegie Hall debut on April 15 2015, with a solo recital in Weill Recital Hall.
MOHAMED SHAMS ON YOU TUBE:
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 First Movement
Tchaikovsky Concerto No 2 Second Movement
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 Third Movement
Photo Credit: Whitney Brown
