Leading pianist, Amit Yahav, is returning to South Africa with a programme of music with a personal connection. The programme centres on two major works by composers who have been particularly important throughout his career: the Fantasy in C Major by Schumann, and the Sonata in B Minor by Chopin. These two pinnacles of the Romantic piano literature have been curated alongside well-loved music by Bach, as re-imagined by pianists of the early 20th century, and some of Chopin’s operatic night music.
When: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Time: 19h00
Where: NMU south campus auditorium
Multi-award-winning pianist, Amit Yahav, is much in demand as a recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist, having earned his reputation for interpretations that grip and move audiences with passion and intellectual insight. His interpretations of the music of Chopin and Schumann have received high praise. Amit’s performing career has taken him to over a dozen countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. Alongside his performing career, Amit has also conducted research into Chopin with the generous support of the Royal College of Music’s Polonsky Award.
In performance, Amit’s interpretations are historically informed and often made accessible to the audience by spoken introductions which place the works in a historical, social and cultural context. Amit is keen to programme well-known and loved repertoire along lesser-known works.
Amongst Amit’s success, are the Anthony Lindsay Piano Prize, the Special Jury Prize at the Northwood-Ruislip Concerto Competition, the György Solti Award for Professional Development, and the Brooks-van der Pump Pianist Prize at the Royal College of Music. Amit also won the 1st International Israeli Music Competition in London and consequently performed Zvi Avni’s “On the Verge of Time” in London’s Southbank Centre in the presence of the composer.
Amit’s debut CD, “Amit Yahav Plays Chopin“, – containing the four Ballades alongside the 2 Polonaises op.26 and the C# Minor Scherzo op.39- attracted much positive attention upon release. This followed Amit’s tour showcasing the four Ballades in an explained recital, which was selected by the Royal College of Music as part of their Insight Series of soirees offered to their donors. In 2018, he earned a Doctor of Music degree for his thesis investigating interpretation in the music of Chopin. In 2020, his latest CD “Fantasies”, showcasing works by Chopin,
Mendelssohn and Schumann, appeared on the GENUIN label. His most recent video recording of Sonata Minacciosa by Nikolai Medtner is scheduled for release soon.
In his PE programme, the following works will feature:
- Bach-Hess: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
- Bach-Petri: Sheep May Safely Graze
- Schumann: Fantasy in C Major op.17
- Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor op.27 no.1
- Nocturne in D-flat Major op.27 no.2
- Sonata in B Minor op.58
What a privilege to be able to hear such an excellent artist again.
