Known for a subtle virtuosity and a flowing technique that modestly refuses showiness, Imogen Cooper is one of London’s star pianists. Her scale passages sparkle with pristine clarity and warmth. The 58-year-old musician has recorded over 15 stand-alone albums as well as a six-volume set of the works of Schubert.
Imogen’s style suits the Classical, Romantic and post-Romantic composers she features. Her clearly articulated scales match the transparent simplicity of Mozart. Her warmth and depth of tone match the passion and playfulness of Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The water-like flow of her movements suits the sparkling music of Ravel.
Soloist and Chamber Musician
Not every musician can excel at both solo works (where the musician must stand on his or her own skill and every flaw is starkly exposed) and chamber works (where the musician must feel the common pulse and respond to the other players). Imogen Cooper, however, is a master at both. She can execute a shimmering Piano Concerto No. 2 (Mozart) with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields or she can storm through a turbulent yet wistful Sonata in A minor, K. 310 (Mozart).
In the Studio, On the Go
In addition to her ever-growing collection of recordings, Imogen Cooper enjoys an extensive career in live performance. Her 2007/2008 season saw her performing with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis in New York and playing with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra with Frans Bruggen in Amsterdam. She also toured the UK, USA, France and Belgium.
In the past, Imogen Cooper has also performed with prestigious orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic, such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She also regularly directs/plays with the Britten Sinfonia and the Northern Sinfonia.
