Back in July 2014, I had the pleasure of interviewing pianist Alessandro Vena about the release of his fifth recording for Sheva Collection, devoted to Robert Schumann’s Opus 9 Carnaval and Opus 26 Faschingsschwank aus Wien.

After the interview, I had asked Alessandro if he would consider performing in Los Angeles. He was enthusiastic but did not know where to start. With my recommendations, he was able to connect with Valeria Rumori, the director at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles and arrange for a recital for them on June 23, 2015. I’m pleased to present Alessandro Vena’s report on the recital.

“The Piano Recital was on the occasion of the summer solstice and the annual European Music Festival. The program at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles included music by Debussy, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky.”
C. Debussy: from Suite Bergamasque “Clair de Lune”
C. Debussy: from Pour le Piano “Toccata”
P. Tchaikovsky: “June” Barcarolle
F. Chopin: Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1
F. Chopin: Nocturne Op. Posthumous
F. Chopin: Ballad No. 1 Op. 23
F. Chopin: Etude Op. 10 No. 12 “Revolutionary”
F. Chopin: Waltz Op. Posthumous
F. Chopin: Polonnaise Op. 53 “Heroic”

“I have had the privilege of recording music by Chopin, Bach, Bach-Busoni, Scarlatti, Mozart, Franck, Debussy, Liszt, Schumann, Rota and Pirrone, with Sheva Collection.”

RAI RADIO 3‘s program, “First Movement” presented his recorded works, and the magazine “Piano Solo” has crowned his last disc with 5 stars, the maximum provided for by music criticism.

Alessandro Vena’s recordings on the Sheva label may be viewed or purchased online at this link. His performances may also be heard on his YouTube site.

According to the pianist, he continues to play small recitals in Italy, Europe and America. In the course of 2016, he also performed with prestigious symphony orchestras including the Ciaikowkij Russian State Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and the Vidin State Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria.

Alessandro Vena has also held solo recitals throughout Italy at the invitation of prestigious institutions such as Rome University LUMSA, Teatro Marcello, Sala Baldini, Valdese University, Villa Torlonia, Perugia University for Foreigners, Foligno Teatro San Domenico, Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, Taormina Festival, Marsala Theater Sollima, Naples Ciccolini Foundation and Palermo Coservatorio Statale.

In addition to the IIC Los Angeles, he has performed on world stages such as the National Opera Center in New York, the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Ohrid Choir Festival (Macedonian), Kino Babilon Berlin, Centenary of Assunsion (Paraguay) and the Center Culturel Belgium.

In 2010 Alessandro Vena obtained the prestigious recognition of “A Life for Music” from the Sovereign Order of Malta and awarded the honorary “For the FAI” (Fondo Italian environment).

It was a pleasure to catch up with this fine pianist. He is kind and dedicated. We wish him much success and look forward to reporting back on his next musical adventures and achievements in the near future.

Addio per ora – Goodbye for now.
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Pastimes For a Lifetime Art and Piano School is located in Valley Glen, California. 818-766-0614. School is open Tuesday – Saturday year round, except major holidays. For more on Pastimes for a Lifetime’s Piano Curriculum and founder/instructor Linda Wehrli, click the links provided.

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For information on cultural events at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles:
1023 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024 – USA
tel: 310 4433250
fax: 310 4433254
e-mail: desk.iicla@esteri.it