Pianist Petronel Malan
The next St. Matthew’s Music Guild concert will feature a solo recital by Grammy Award-nominated pianist Petronal Malan at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
The concert includes sonatas by Scarlatti and Beethoven, “Paraphrase on Sixteen Waltzes of Brahms” by Dohnányi, as well as rarely heard orchestral works by African-American composer Florence Price and the 19th-century virtuoso Stephen Heller.
Critic Harris Goldsmith called Malan “Formidable…dizzying…magical.” A gold medalist of several international piano competitions, Petronel is lauded by reviewers as an unmistakably creative force in the classical music world.
Petronel was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including “Best Instrumental Solo Album” for her debut disc “Transfigured Bach.” Recordings devoted to Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms – and two additional Grammy nominations – followed.
Malan’s career was launched following five gold medals at international piano competitions throughout the United States, including the Louise McMahon, Los Angeles Liszt “Budapest Concert,” and Hilton Head International Piano Competitions.
Born in South Africa, Petronel began lessons with her mother at age four, continuing with Adolph Hallis, Joseph Stanford and Albie van Schalkwyk.
She debuted with the Johannesburg Symphony at age 10 and subsequently won all major national competitions, before moving to the United States. Petronel completed her graduate degrees at the University of North Texas.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the door (St. Matthew’s Church, 1031 Bienveneda) or visit MusicGuildOnline.org or call (310) 573-7422.