Whether you are a longtime lover of classical music or seeking an unforgettable cultural experience, this is a concert not to be missed. Prepare to be swept away by the extraordinary artistry of Dénes Várjon, who is returning to PPI after a wildly acclaimed first performance with us five years ago. The evening begins with Brahms’s 7 Fantasies, op. 116, where Várjon’s introspective artistry will illuminate these late piano works’ intimate and reflective nature. He will capture the rhythmic vitality and folk-inspired melodies of Bartók’s Dance Suite, a piece that embodies the essence of Hungarian musical heritage. The journey continues with Liszt’s evocative Vallée d’Obermann from Années de pèlerinage, an invitation to a soul-searching exploration of passion and introspection.
The program crescendos with a captivating selection of Chopin’s masterpieces, starting with the Beethoven-inspired brilliance of the Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor. The audience will be immersed in the sonorous glory and über romantic beauty of the Nocturne in D-flat Major. Soon after, listeners will buzz with the rhythmic Etudes op. 25, Nos. 1 and 2, the iconic Mazurka in B-flat Minor, and the rebellious spirit of the Fantaisie in F Minor. These pieces make for the perfect sample platter of the beauty of Chopin’s music and legacy. This is more than a performance—it is an opportunity to experience music’s power to transform, as Várjon’s artistry turns each note into an intimate dialogue with the audience.

For tickets and more information, visit portlandpiano.org.

Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 SW Crescent St., Beaverton, OR 97005