BEATS GO ON ! / PART 1: TCHAIKOVSKY THE SEASONS

After the orchestral romp that was Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony, I was raring for more Russian music. That was when Russian pianist / pedagogue and St.Petersburg native Kerim Vergazov reminded me of a recital of Russian piano music by his students and friends. Held on Sunday afternoon (20 September 2026) at Bechstein Music World's auditorium on Shenton Way, Beats Go On! was more than two solid hours of Russian music played with love and passion.

The main showcase was The Seasons by Tchaikovsky, twelve short pieces written on a monthly schedule for a musical periodical. For him, it was a monthly subscription he had to fulfill, just plain hackwork but what a classic it has become! The months were shared between seven pianists and were accompanied by projections of authentic paintings, photographs and visuals representing the Russian seasons.

The recital opened with Yoko Takahashi
playing January (At the Fireside).

Most of the pianists, mature adults, performed with scores at hand but the younger and more confident ones played from memory - not as simple as it seems. Technical deficiencies were made up by lots of heart, passion and most importantly, love. The first half concluded with a short violin recital. Here are the photos! 

February (Carnival) was accounted
by Shang Thong Kai.

Martina Teo performed March (Song of the Lark)
and May (Moonlit Nights).

Miho Yamaguchi in April (Snowdrop).

Here we catch a glimpse of a photo
of St.Petersburg as Martina Teo
plays May (Moonlit Nights).

Stefan Li played the best-known movement
of all, June (Barcarolle).

It's July (Song of the Reaper)
by Miho Yamaguchi.

Yoko Takahashi returned to play
August (Harvest).

Shang Thong Kai had a field day
in September (The Hunt), which had 
the same horn calls as 1812 Overture.

First to perform without score was
Bryan Quek in October (Autumn Song).

Ong Yi Chong performed 
November (Troika), the most difficult movement,
 and December (Christmas) from memory.

The first half closed with young violinist
Eng Pei Chen playing two movements from
Tchaikovsky's Souvenir d'un lieu cher
(Memory of a Beloved Place):
Melodie & Scherzo,
accompanied by Kerim Vergazov.

Continued in Beats Go On! Part 2:

pianomania: BEATS GO ON! / PART 2: MORE RUSSIAN MUSIC