Friends of Music are to host a recital by internationally renowned pianist Boris Petrushansky on May 11 at 19h45.

His programme will include Mozart’s Variations KV265 "Ah, vous dirai Maman" with its intentionally childlike humour. Also to be performed are Schubert’s three Klavierstücke (piano pieces) D946 which he wrote in May 1828, six months before his death although they were not published until 40 years later, thanks to the invention of Johannes Brahms.

Brahms himself is represented on the programme with Sonata no 3 in F minor opus 5. Brahms made several attempts in the early years at the large-scale and demanding form of the piano sonata and probably wrote more than the three which have survived. Earlier works were probably destroyed by the composer himself, for he was always intensely critical of work which he felt did not meet his own high criteria. It is possible that the three which remain were the last three which he wrote.

Boris Petrushansky’s highly original creativity and vivacious personality have gained him wide recognition as a concert pianist. Born in 1949 in Moscow, he started playing piano at the age of 5 and among his teachers was the eminent Heinrich Neuhaus. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory having already distinction himself in major international competitions at Leeds, Munich and Terni where he won 1st prize.

His performances have taken him to Italy, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, USA, Hungary, Japan, Israel, Egypt, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia.

He is now resident in Italy where he has held a position at the Academia Pianistica "Incontri col Maestro" in Imola. Among his students are Olga Kern, who has won 1st prize at the International Van Cliburn Competition, Texas and Roberto Prosseda, 2nd prize at the International Schubert Competition, Dortmund.

The concert will take place at the Durban Jewish Centre at 19h45 on May 11. A cash bar is available and there is safe parking. Book at Computicket.