The Edge of Forever - Stefan Cassomenos (piano)
Date
Sunday 10th January, 2.00PM
Venue
Ballaarat Mechanics Institute
Duration
60 minutes
From the dance rhythms and exuberance of Chopin to the emotional power of contemporary Australian music and the dazzling virtuosity of Liszt.
Melbourne-born pianist, composer and conductor Stefan Cassomenos, internationally praised for his clarity, expressive range and virtuosity, returns to Ballarat with a compelling programme spanning three distinctive musical worlds.
Chopin’s Mazurkas, drawn from different periods of his life, offer a wonderfully varied portrait of the composer, from lively, spirited dances to more reflective moments, culminating in a joyous celebration. Melbourne composer Sam Williams’s The Wednesday on the Edge of Forever (2025) brings a contemporary voice to the programme. Tuneful, harmonically rich and emotionally compelling, this acclaimed new work has captivated audiences since its 2026 premiere at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
The recital concludes with Liszt’s spectacular Rigoletto Paraphrase, in which themes from Verdi’s opera are transformed into a dazzling display of pianistic brilliance. From Chopin’s evocative miniatures to Williams’s powerful contemporary writing and Liszt’s operatic fireworks, this is a recital full of character, colour and contrast.
*image Belinda Strodder
Melbourne-born pianist, composer and conductor Stefan Cassomenos, internationally praised for his clarity, expressive range and virtuosity, returns to Ballarat with a compelling programme spanning three distinctive musical worlds.
Chopin’s Mazurkas, drawn from different periods of his life, offer a wonderfully varied portrait of the composer, from lively, spirited dances to more reflective moments, culminating in a joyous celebration. Melbourne composer Sam Williams’s The Wednesday on the Edge of Forever (2025) brings a contemporary voice to the programme. Tuneful, harmonically rich and emotionally compelling, this acclaimed new work has captivated audiences since its 2026 premiere at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
The recital concludes with Liszt’s spectacular Rigoletto Paraphrase, in which themes from Verdi’s opera are transformed into a dazzling display of pianistic brilliance. From Chopin’s evocative miniatures to Williams’s powerful contemporary writing and Liszt’s operatic fireworks, this is a recital full of character, colour and contrast.
*image Belinda Strodder
Artists
Stefan Cassomenos
