Kathryn Stott

Kathryn Stott (born 10 December 1958)[1] is an English classical pianist who performs as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Her specialities include the English and French classical repertoire, contemporary classical music and the tango. She is a professor at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and has organised several music festivals and concert series.

Grove Music Online describes Stott's playing as "marked by a vivid sense of immediacy and personal communication."[1] A review of her fiftieth birthday gala concert in The Times describes her as "one of the most versatile pianists on the circuit".[2]

Early life and education

Stott was born in Nelson, Lancashire.[1] Her mother was a piano teacher and she began to learn the piano at the age of five.[3] She attended the Yehudi Menuhin School, where her teachers included Nadia Boulanger, Marcel Ciampi, and Vlado Perlemuter. She then studied at the Royal College of Music with Kendall Taylor.[1][3][4]

Performance and recording career

Stott's career as a soloist was launched after she gained fifth place in the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1978.[5] Her London début was at the Purcell Room the same year.[1] She has since toured throughout Europe, Asia, America and Australia with a concert repertoire that encompasses concertos, solo piano music and chamber music.[1][4] She is unusual in always performing from a score.[3]Her output for the BBC over the years has been vast, performing not only in solo recital but also with all the BBC orchestras including 10 'Proms' at the Royal Albert Hall.

Stott has a particular affinity with English music and a keen interest in contemporary music with many works written especially for her. Her series of recordings of works by Frank Bridge, George Lloyd, John Ireland and William Walton is described as "distinguished" in Grove.[1] She is also known for her love of French music, particularly the works of Gabriel Fauré, whose complete piano works she has recorded to critical acclaim.[1] Contemporary classical music is another of Stott's specialities. She has given the first performances of many works, including a concerto by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Michael Nyman's The Piano Concerto and Graham Fitkin's Circuit (with Noriko Ogawa).[4][6] Her close musical relationship with Fitkin has led to 8 World premieres. Since the mid-1990s, she has also been interested in tango and other Latin dance music, which she describes as "primitive music, hard to place, both abrasive and tender".[7]

Stott first met her long-time collaborator, the noted American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, in 1978 when she "discovered a Chinese man playing the cello" in her flat after returning from holiday. (Ma had rented the flat from Stott's flat-mate, violinist Nigel Kennedy, without realising that it was shared).[7] Stott and Ma have worked together since 1985; the pair frequently tours together and has made several joint recordings, including Soul of the Tango and Obrigado Brazil, which received Grammy Awards in 1999 and 2004.[7] In 2020, Stott curated their album Songs of Comfort and Hope as a musical response to the impact of the pandemic. She also has long-standing collaborations with cellist Christian Poltéra, trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth and pianist Noriko Ogawa.[4][8]

Artistic direction

Stott has been the artistic director of several major festivals and concert series. In 1995 she organised a Fauré festival in Manchester to mark the composer's 150th anniversary.[1][3] According to the Independent, the event was "transformed by her enthusiasm and her own sumptuous performances of this neglected composer's works."[3] The success of the festival led to her appointment as Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.[9]

She directed two major piano festivals at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester in 2000 and 2003, establishing her reputation as an astute programmer.[9] As Stott considers "It's very important at an event like this that we should let people play", both festivals featured Steinway grand pianos that the public were allowed to try, as well as a variety of novelty pianos including a red "Ferrari" Steinway, an "exploded" piano revealing the internal workings, a grove of woven pianos, and a concert grand fitted with a pool which played a variety of watery sounds.[3][10]

In 1998, Stott directed a concert series "Out of the Shadows" with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, featuring two neglected female composers, Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn.[9] She also directed the series "Chopin: The Music and the Legacy" at Leeds College of Music (2004–05) and "Paris" at the Sheffield Crucible (2006).[9] She was appointed as musical director of the Manchester Chamber Concerts Society[9] (2009-14) and was Guest Artistic Director of Incontri in Terra di Siena in 2010 and 2011. Kathryn curated two concert series for Leeds International Concerts and relished her role as Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2018-20.[11] Her work here involved programming over 100 works each festival, instigating commissions and bringing together 45 musicians from Australia and the international community.

Teaching

Kathryn Stott is Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.[12]

Also

Kathryn Stott lives in Manchester,[13] has a daughter, Lucy, and enjoys being in the countryside with her working cocker spaniel, Archie. www.kathrynstott.com

Partial discography

Most recent recordings include:

2020 Songs of Comfort and Hope Various Yo-Yo Ma SONY Classical 19439822372

2020 Schumann and Brahms Christian Poltera BIS 2167

2015 Arc of Life Bach, Debussy, Sollima Yo-Yo Ma SONY 8875-10316-2

2015 Solitaires Ravel, Messiaen etc BIS 2148

2013 Tine Various Tine Thing-Helseth EMI 50999 416471 2

2013 Barber Cello Concerto Christian Poltera BIS 1827

2012 Korngold Piano Quintet Doric String Quartet CHAN 10707

Year Title Composer(s) Other performers Record company Reference[14]
SOLO PIANO Favourite Nocturnes Chopin Regis Regis RRC 1159[15]
1987 A Debussy Collection Debussy Conifer Classics CFC/CDCF 148
1993 A Liszt Collection Liszt Conifer Classics CDCF 180
1994 The Complete Music for Piano Fauré Hyperion Hyperion CDA 66911/4[16]
1994 Complete Nocturnes Chopin Regis Regis RCC 2034[17]
1999 Essays in the Modes, Music-Pictures Groups VI,VII, Variazioni ed Improvvisati su un Tema Originale, English Tune with Burden, Egoistic (Mode V L), April – England Foulds BIS BIS-CD-933[18]
2001 Piano Moods Debussy, Liszt, Chopin, Ravel, Rachmaninov, and others Various Conifer Classics BMG7560551286-2
2002 Piano Works including the Pièces pittoresques Chabrier Elizabeth Burley (piano) Regis Regis RRC 1133[19]
2003 Suite dansante en jazz, Piano Sonata No. 1, Cinq études de jazz, Second Suite for piano, 11 Inventions, Hot Music Schulhoff BIS BIS-CD-1249[20]
2003 Les Heures Persanes Koechlin Chandos CHAN 9974[21]
2007 Dreams, The Curious One, Concert Étude in C major, On the Sea Shore – a memory, Fantasia on Czech Folksongs, Czech Dances, Books 1,2 Smetana Chandos CHAN 10430[22]
2008 Dance Chopin, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, Satie, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Ginastera, Bartók, Dvořák, Sibelius, Guarnieri, Lecuona Chandos CHAN 10493[23]
Piano duos
2003 On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, Summer Night on the River, In Summer Garden, A Song before Sunrise, North Country Sketches, Dance Rhapsody Nos 1,2 Delius arr. Warlock Noriko Ogawa (piano) BIS BIS-CD-1347[24]
2003 Sir Lennox Berkeley: A Centenary Tribute: Sonatina for Piano Duet, Palm Court Waltz, and others Berkeley Nash Ensemble Helios Helios CDH55135[25]
Piano concertos
1989 Piano Concerto No. 4 Lloyd London Symphony Orchestra, George Lloyd (conductor) Albany AR004[26]
1990 Piano Concerto No. 3 Lloyd BBC Philharmonic, George Lloyd (conductor) Albany TROY019[27]
1991 The Rio Grande, Concerto for Piano and Nine Players, Horoscope Lambert Delia Jones, BBC Singers, BBC Concert Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth (conductor) Decca Decca 473 424–2
1994 The Piano Concerto Nyman Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Michael Nyman (conductor) Argo Decca 443 382–2
1995 Orchestral Works: Ballade in F sharp, piano and orchestra, and others Fauré BBC Philharmonic, Yan Pascal Tortelier Chandos CHAN9416W[28]
2002 Collected Works: Sinfonia Concertante Walton Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor) RCA Red Seal BMG RCA 74321 92575 2
2003 Concertos for Piano and Orchestra Nos 2, 3, The Comedians Kabalevsky BBC Philharmonic, Vassily Sinaisky (conductor) Chandos CHAN 10052[29]
2005 Concertos & Dances: Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor Howells Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Vernon Handley (conductor) Helios CDH55205[30]
2006 Concertos for Piano and Orchestra Nos. 1, 4, Symphony No. 2 Kabalevsky BBC Philharmonic, Neeme Järvi (conductor) Chandos CHAN 10384[31]
Chamber works
1997 Soul of the Tango Piazzolla Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and others Sony BMG Sony SK SK63122[32]
1997 Sonata No.1 in E minor for Violin and Piano, Sonata No.2 in E minor for Violin and Piano, Bagatellen Busoni Per Enoksson (violin) BIS BIS-CD-784[33]
2000 Sonatas for Violin and Piano Nos 1,2, Zwei lyrische Stücke, Poème pour violon et piano Sjögren Per Enoksson (violin) BIS BIS-CD-995[34]
2002 Le Saxophone Lumineux: 15 Etudes for Saxophone and Piano, 7 Pieces for Saxophone and Piano Koechlin Federico Mondelci (saxophone) Chandos CHAN 9803[35]
2003 Paris – La Belle Époque Fauré, Franck, Massenet, Saint-Saëns Yo-Yo Ma (cello) Sony BMG Sony SK 87287[36]
2004 Obrigado Brazil Guarnieri, Gismonti, Villa-Lobos and others Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and others Sony BMG Sony SK 89935[37]
2007 String Quintet in G major, Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major Dvořák Škampa Quartet Supraphon SU 3909-2 131[38]
2007 Sonata for Cello and Piano, Sonatina for Cello and Piano, and others Honegger Christian Poltéra (cello) BIS BIS-CD-1617[39]
2007 Nocturne Chopin Truls Mørk (cello) Virgin NRK P2
2008 Ballade for Cello and Piano, Preludes for Piano Martin Christian Poltéra (cello) BIS BIS-CD-1637[40]
2008 Sonatas for Cello and Piano Nos 1,2, Nocturne No. 13, Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello Fauré Christian Poltéra (cello), Priya Mitchell (violin) Chandos CHAN 10447[41]
2009 Sonatas for Cello and Piano Nos 1, 2, Prière op.158, Le Cygne, Romance op. 36 Saint-Saëns Christian Poltéra (cello) Chandos CHAN 10552
2010 Milo Bridge, Turnage Guy Johnston ORC 100010
2010 Circuit Fitkin Noriko Ogawa BIS 1517
2012 Silent Woods Dvorak Christian Poltera BIS 2167

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Morrison B. "Stott, Kathryn" in Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press) (accessed 8 December 2008)
  2. ^ Morrison R. Kathryn Stott Gala at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The Times (8 December 2008) (accessed 8 December 2008)
  3. ^ a b c d e f Church M. Many hands make light work. Independent (4 February 2000)[dead link‍] (accessed 5 December 2008)
  4. ^ a b c d Royal Academy of Music: Kathryn Stott (accessed 5 December 2008)
  5. ^ Leeds International Pianoforte Competition: Previous Finalists Archived 24 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 5 December 2008)
  6. ^ Nyman M, sleeve notes of The Piano Concerto & MGV (Argo; 1994)
  7. ^ a b c Stott K. I've been tangoed. Guardian (29 November 2008) (accessed 5 December 2008)
  8. ^ Kathryn Stott: Pianist: Biography (accessed 8 December 2008)
  9. ^ a b c d e Kathryn Stott: Pianist: Artistic Director (accessed 8 December 2008)
  10. ^ Ward D. Piano hits right note for festival. Guardian (5 December 2002) (accessed 9 December 2008)
  11. ^ Angus McPherson (15 November 2016), "Australian Festival of Chamber Music announces new AD", Limelight Magazine, retrieved 31 December 2016
  12. ^ Harris P. Sex row rocks elite academy. Observer (30 June 2002) (accessed 5 December 2008)
  13. ^ "Biography", Kathryn Stott: pianist, September 2016, retrieved 31 December 2016
  14. ^ Kathryn Stott: Pianist: Available recordings (accessed 9 December 2008)
  15. ^ Regis Records: RRC 1159 Archived 13 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  16. ^ Hyperion: Fauré: Complete Music for Piano (accessed 9 December 2008)
  17. ^ Regis Records: RRC 2034 Archived 6 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  18. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-933 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  19. ^ Regis Records: RRC 1133 Archived 19 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  20. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-1249 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  21. ^ Chandos: CHAN 9974 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  22. ^ Chandos: CHAN 10430 (accessed 8 December 2008)
  23. ^ Chandos: CHAN 10493 (accessed 8 December 2008)
  24. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-1347 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  25. ^ Hyperion: Sir Lennox Berkeley (1903–1989): A Centenary Tribute (accessed 9 December 2008)
  26. ^ Albany Records: George Lloyd: Piano Concerto No. 4 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  27. ^ Albany Records: George Lloyd: Third Piano Concerto (accessed 9 December 2008)
  28. ^ Chandos: Faure: Orchestral Works (accessed 9 December 2008)
  29. ^ Chandos: CHAN 10052 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  30. ^ Herbert Howells (1892–1983): Concertos & Dances (accessed 9 December 2008)
  31. ^ Chandos: CHAN 10384 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  32. ^ Sony BMG Masterworks: Piazzolla: Soul of the Tango Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  33. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-784 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  34. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-995 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  35. ^ Chandos: CHAN 9803 (accessed 9 December 2008)
  36. ^ Sony BMG Masterworks: Paris – La Belle Époque Archived 8 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  37. ^ Sony BMG Masterworks: Obrigado Brazil – Live In Concert Archived 17 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 9 December 2008)
  38. ^ Supraphon: Dvorak, A. String Quintet in G major, Op. 77, Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81/ Skampa Quartet, K.Stott, L.Durantel Archived 15 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 8 December 2008)
  39. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-1617 (accessed 8 December 2008)
  40. ^ BIS Records: BIS-CD-1637 (accessed 8 December 2008)
  41. ^ Chandos: CHAN 10447 (accessed 8 December 2008)