Ariane Jurriaanse
Classical Concert Pianist
'The piano forms a bridge between life and the world of the imagination. Playing the piano is my greatest passion. Here I express my deep love for music. It is a special privilege to discover and to give life to the incomparable artistry of the great composers that I love'
Biography
Now resident in the United Kingdom, the Dutch concert pianist Ariane Jurriaanse was born in Zeist, The Netherlands. Awarded the Prix d’Honeur at the Edith Stein competition in The Hague at the age of fifteen, Ariane went on to the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, where she studied with the Latvian pianist Naum Grubert.
Ariane also studied with Margaret Fingerhut at the Royal Northern College of Music and has had the honour of taking part in masterclasses with Vlado Perlemuter in Dartington.
Her career has brought much acclaim. She has appeared in recitals and festivals across The Netherlands, as well as in Belgium and in Britain.
Since settling in Britain, Ariane has delighted her audiences, both as a soloist and as an accompanist. She has most recently been awarded sponsorship by the Lynn Foundation for recording a CD of music by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Granados.
Her playing has been described as stylish, deeply moving, yet vigorous.
Concerts
Ariane's Recordings
A Concert Review
Dazzling recital from Jurriaanse
THE Sunday Showcase series continues to attract good audiences even on cold winter days.
But given the calibre of the performances, this is not surprising.
This recital was by the Dutch pianist Ariane Jurriaanse, who now lives in Cheltenham.
She began with the relatively unfamiliar Rondo in A minor by Mozart, which turned out to be a more wide-ranging work than its wistful opening theme promised.
Chopon's Nocturnes are not the most obvious choice for an afternoon recital but three of them were given a sympathetic performance underscored by impeccable technique.
Schubert's Sonata in A minor was a thrilling experience with the dark tensions of the opening movement much in evidence.
Pride of place on the programme must go to Mendelssohn's remarkable Variations Serieuses.
The music is not so serious that it lacks passion or melodic interest.
Ms Jurriaanse exploited these to the full, making light of the musical complexities in a towering performance which culminated in a dazzling conclusion.
She finished her varied recital on a lighter note with two pieces inspired by paintings - Granados's The Maiden and the Nightingale, inspired by Goya and Debussy's L'Isle Joyeuse after a Watteau picture, which radiated exuberance and joy.
Roger Jones
