Valentine's Day with Chopin

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. But if you want to avoid the usual over-priced dinners and pressure to gaze and swoon over your lover for a whole evening then go for something stylish and cultured instead. Here Gabriele Faja, pianist and MD of classical music promoters Biaerbeck and Holmes explains why an evening with Chopin could be the most romantic of all.

Valentine, a bishop in 270 A.D. Italy, simply couldn’t bear not marrying people, even against the wishes of Claudius II, the Roman Emperor. He got beaten, stoned and decapitated for his stubbornness. But he did manage to send a final message to the girl he loved: “From your Valentine”. Which somehow, still gets printed on valentine cards today. Amazing thing, love. 

These days, Valentine’s day is big business. If you’re a man, you ‘re  almost certain to get beaten and stoned for forgetting to buy flowers, chocolates or something thoughtful ( ie expensive) for your partner. But in London, oh no, that’s simply not enough. You are expected to do way more in this capital of the world. Romantic dinners, champagne on the Thames and helicopter ring-exchanging rides. All in the name of love.

The idea for the Chopin & Champagne concert was born out of this need. It’s no big deal really – a classical piano recital. How boring is that? When’s the last time you’ve been to one? If ever? Well, this could change. There is something sophisticated and glamorous in taking your Valentine to a classical recital with a programme to include the most remarkable composition by Chopin, arguably the most ‘romantic’ of composers. When you add a candle-lit stage, in St James’s Church (one of the most stunning examples of late 17th century architecture, courtesy of Sir Christopher Wren), a Piccadilly location and a complimentary glass of bubbles, the charm and style hits levels you rarely meet for Valentine’s day.

The event has been resident in St James’s for six years and we’ve kept the original concept of a classical  concert. With so many gigs out there, Londoners seem to embrace the idea of a different sort of evening. Julian Jacobson, the formidable British concert pianist with a career spanning 50 years is at the centre of the show, and keeps amazing all who hear him with his beautiful touch and remarkable technical ability. The concept was in fact his from the start but this is the first time that he produces an authentic Chopin recital in many years, the summit for any pianist.

Chopin (1810-1849), wrote music of sublime romanticism, so much so as to historically redefine the meaning of ‘romantic’ in music. His output was almost entirely dedicated to the piano - he was the pianist’s composer, and still is today.
Why is his music so romantic?  His style is unique, and used functions from the Viennese school (Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven featuring at the top of the chart) but differed from his predecessors and contemporaries. The lyricism of the right hand was in part taken from forms such as  the Sonata and the Symphony, where strict measure and tonal rules applied, and used for the sole function of expressing feelings such as joy, pain, sorrow, ecstacy – the many faces of love, in fact. His composition, which are charged with harmonic and tonal depth, are unarguably remarked as to be masterworks of the short form.
 Mastering his music ranks among the most complex of all musical achievements, which is why it’s so rare to hear live performances,  rather than those edited in a  studio.
 
 Chopin did write ‘easy’ short compositions -  which keen amateurs can perform -  but his most remarkable output is in new invented/developed forms such as the Ballades, Scherzos, Polonaises and the two Concertos which are technically very demanding even for established concert pianists. His collection of 24 Etudes (Studies) are still regarded today as to be the pinnacle of virtuosity for any pianist to surmount.
To be a true Chopin great however, virtuosity is not nearly enough. A strong spiritual and emotional input combined with a thorough regard for syntax and form are  essential -which are immensely difficult to achieve in unity. Sounds just like trying to negotiate a relationship. Julian Jacobson manages, as shown in a career spanning almost 50 years, with amazing proficiency.

Last year we sold out but the setting kept the event beautifully intimate. Our audience spans all age groups and once we even had an engagement outside during the interval! Afterwards most take a romantic stroll across to Mayfair, Piccadilly or Soho for a perfectly timed dinner, where finally, flowers and chocolates can be exchanged, for love, for desire and, of course, to escape the beating.  
       
For more info and tickets see www.biaerbeckandholmes.com