Mario Alonso

Members of Shenzhen Concert Hall’s fan club “Music Lovers” are in for a treat today, as they can sit at Spanish pianist Mario Alonso’s recital for free.

Those who newly joined the club or renewed their membership are all eligible to the benefit, plus discounts for future ticket purchases, free access to rehearsals and meetings with musicians.

The program includes Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109,” Liszt’s one-movement “Dante Sonata,” Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 28” and Manuel de Falla’s “Fantasia Baetica,” all masterpieces for the piano. The choice of the program also tries to give the audience a taste of Classical, Romantic, contemporary as well as distinctive folk music-flavored works.

Beethoven’s work, the third-to-last of his piano sonatas, is on a comparatively small scale and has a more intimate character compared with his other works of the period. Meant as a dedication to a longtime friend’s daughter, the work is characterized by a free and original approach to the traditional sonata form. Its focus is the third movement, with a set of variations interpreting its theme in miscellaneous ways.

Liszt’s sonata, inspired by Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and composed in 1849, uses nine different motifs to represent the nine circles of Hell. In addition, within the nine motifs, Liszt created two major themes, one in minor and one in major, the first symbolizing the dark nature of Hell, and the second, Heaven and its guide, Beatrice. The score comprises innovative harmonies, and creative use of octaves, chords, tritones and rhythm.

Rachmaninoff’s piano sonata, originally inspired by Goethe’s play “Faust,” received a lukewarm response at its 1908 premiere in Moscow and remains one of the least performed of his works. Therefore, it’s a rare opportunity for Rachmaninoff fans to listen to the work.

Falla composed the “Fantasia Baetica” (Baetica being the old Roman name for Andalusia) in 1919 commissioned by and dedicated to Arthur Rubinstein. This abstract, large-scale work is a celebration of Andalusian culture and history, with a strong influence from the folk music traditions of the region.

Alonso started to play the piano at 9. He studied piano in Russia, the Netherlands and Italy, and showed early potential by winning many international awards, including the Panama International Piano Competition in 2006. Residing in Shanghai since 2017, he speaks fluent Mandarin and regularly gives recitals in Chinese cities.

Time: 8 p.m., Nov. 29

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂(lè)廳)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D