Alexander Melnikov Presented by Liszt Academy

The piano is basically a creation of the 19th century although there were numerous keyboard instruments in use in earlier centuries. With the further development of the hammer mechanism, the introduction of the repetition mechanism, the regulation of tonal range and improvements in the instrument's body, material and wire, the modern piano as we know it today evolved from the varied instrumental predecessors of the 18th century. Its volume and richness of scale proved enormously attractive for both musicians and audiences of the period. The programme of the Alexander Melnikov concert showcases two cycles that perfectly reflect these unique attributes of the piano: the pieces by Debussy built on the floating tonality patches and broad associations, the second book of the Preludes standing independently, similarly to the Chopin series, are followed by the Liszt transcription of the five-movement Symphony Fantastique by Berlioz, which evokes the original tonal image so convincingly that Schumann was able to write a detailed review about the work purely relying on the piano transcription.