Events

Julius Asal: Préludes and Pensées

Julius Asal: Préludes and Pensées
For one afternoon only
June 26, 2026
Tickets On Sale Now
Julius Asal: Préludes and Pensées
Exciting young pianist Julius Asal performs an utterly absorbing recital of Russian music, along with a brand new commission from Lera Auerbach.Prokofiev was in an unusually introspective mood when he composed his Pensées in 1935. His music is often spiky, or at a breakneck tempo, or both. These rarely-played miniatures are by contrast slow and contemplative for the most part. For Julius Asal, who has a particular affinity with Prokofiev’s music, they “reflect Prokofiev’s doubts about life in Paris and the desire, which has grown over the years, to return to his old homeland”. This he did the following year, where he premiered the Pensées in Moscow: his desire fulfilled.

Rachmaninoff’s 13 Préludes were composed in 1910 in the slipstream of his famously beautiful (and famously difficult) Third Piano Concerto. Written for his own formidable abilities at the keyboard, they are intricate and often challenging. But they encompass a beguiling range of moods and styles, from stormy to tender to dreamy to playful. Overall they are a remarkable testament to the expressive range of the piano – and to Rachmaninoff’s muscular performing style.

Julius Asal piano

Lera Auerbach:New work (8’)
Prokofiev:Pensées, Op.62 (14’)
Rachmaninoff:Préludes, Op.32 (40’)

Main image: Julius Asal © Michael Reinicke

Book Tickets

Sign In

Don't have an account yet? Register

Forgot password?

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.