Russian-born Mikhail Rudy, a renowned interpreter of Brahms, will delight music lovers tomorrow night with a concert of Chopin and Brahms, including emotional melodies from the composer's last years, writes Shanghai Daily.

Russian-born pianist Mikhail Rudy made his fame by playing Rachmaninov, and now he has established his further renown as a great interpreter of Brahms.

He will offer Shanghai a Brahms and Chopin night with a "heavy" repertoire featuring Brahms' "3 Intermezzi," "6 Pieces, Op. 118," "4 Pieces Op. 119," Chopin's "Nocturne No. 8 in D Flat Major," "Nocturne No. 13 in C Minor," and "Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor."

"He is one of the very few Russian pianists of his generation who play German-Austrian pieces in such a deep way," says local music critic Mu Yan. "His Brahms is introverted, especially the 'Op. 118' and 'Op. 119' that he will play for the Shanghai recital. They were written during Brahms' very late years," says Mu, adding that Brahms' last piece was "Op 121."

"Many pianists love to play 'Op. 118' and 'Op. 119' consecutively during concerts without applause because the sixth piece of 'Op. 118' and the first piece of 'Op. 119' are musically connected," he says.

Rudy has studied at the Moscow Conservatory with maestro Jacob Flier. After winning first prize at the Marguerite Long Competition in Paris, he settled down in France. He won numerous honors as a concert and recording pianist, including the Prix de l'Academie du Disque Francais for Rachmaninov's "Piano Concerto No. 2" and Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1" with the St Petersburg Philharmonic under conductor Mariss Jansons.

His major concert debut in the West was a performance of Beethoven's "Triple Concerto" with pianist Mstislav Rostropovich and violinist Isaac Stern. The occasion was a celebration of the 90th birthday of painter Marc Chagall, whom he greatly admired. The event gave Rudy the opportunity to be close to the painter in his last years.

The concert also gave him opportunities to perform with renowned maestros, including his US debut with the Cleveland Orchestra under the baton of Lorin Maazel, a concert at the Salzburg Easter Festival with Herbert von Karajan, a London debut with the London Symphony Orchestra with Michael Tilson Thomas and a performance with the Berlin Philharmonic with Mariss Jansons.

He has also regularly performed with all-French orchestras since his debut in Paris with French maestro, composer/conductor Paul Paray.

"His tune is very fine and he pays attention to the use of legato. I think he has also benefited from his teacher, Jacob Flier," says critic Mu.

In addition to giving concerts, Rudy founded the prestigious St Riquier Festival where he has been artistic director for 20 years. He is also a respected television broadcaster and has contributed to a BBC television documentary on the life and music of Tchaikovsky.

"From his recordings, I find he has successfully illustrated the very beautiful melodies of Brahms' pieces. I can feel the sentimental, complicated and even a bit lost emotions of Brahms' late years under Rudy's keyboard," says Mu.

Mikhail Rudy concert
Date: December 1, 7:45pm
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong
Tickets: 100-300 yuan
Tel: 010-62172426