Pianist Katharina Wolpe’s biography begins with ‘Don’t read this if you are expecting the usual CV of a classical pianist – the world renowned schools, the famous teachers and the proud parents.’ On Sunday, 16 October 2011, the legendary classical pianist, who doesn’t remember learning to play or read music, is the first of National Museum Cardiff’s series of Coffee Concerts.
Born in Vienna, Katharina grew up in a series of refugee camps, where she started playing little concerts. Her first official recital however was at the Wigmore Hall, thanks to the support of Humphrey Bogart who heard her play when filming in London.
Starting at 11.30am, her concert at the Reardon Smith Theatre, National Museum Cardiff on Sunday will feature Mozart: Fantasia in C minor, K.475; Beethoven: Sonata Piano in E, Op.90; and Schubert: Drei Klavierstücke, D.946.
Tickets purchased from the New Theatre (029 2087 8889) in advance cost £8.80 for adults, £6.60 for concessions (available until 3pm the day before each concert). Alternatively, tickets can be bought on the day with cash or a cheque for £10. Tickets include coffee, fruit juice or sherry after the concert, and a 10% discount off a delicious Sunday lunch in our Oriel restaurant.
The other concerts in the series include:
- 20 November 2011 – Cavaleri String Quartet
- 11 December 2011 – Musica Viva
- 15 January 2012 – Frith Piano Quartet
- 5 February 2012 – Benyounes Quartet
- 4 March 2012 – Gail Pearson (soprano), Andrew Owens Matthews (piano)
- 15 April 2012 – Badke String Quartet
For further information, please visit www.museumwales.ac.uk.
Cardiff Coffee Concerts are developed in partnership with CwpanAur. Supported by CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust, Cardiff Hoteliers Association and DHB ltd.
