Recital: Duo Jardin Féerique – piano duo

The Programme

Nafis Umerkulova – piano
Veronika Shoot – piano

The Rite of Spring (for piano duo)
Part 1 – Adoration of the Earth:
Introduction
Augurs of Spring
Ritual of Abduction
Spring Rounds
Ritual of the Rival Tribes
Procession of the Sage:
The Sage
Dance of the Earth

Petite Suite, L 65
1. En bateau (Sailing): Andantino
2. Cortège (Retinue): Moderato
3. Menuet: Moderato
4. Ballet: Allegro giusto

1. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant: Lent
(Pavane of Sleeping Beauty)
3. Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes: Mouvt de marche
(Little Ugly Girl, Empress of the Pagodas)
4. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête: Mouvt de valse très modéré
(Conversation of Beauty and the Beast)
5. Le jardin féerique: Lent et grave
(The Fairy Garden)

The Artists

Jardin Féerique piano duo was formed by concert pianists Veronika Shoot and Nafis Umerkulova, who have formed their musical bond over many years. They made their debut at Wigmore Hall in 2007. Together and individually, they have performed in the world’s capital concert venues including St John’s Smith Square, the South Bank Centre, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Glasgow City Halls, Manchester Bridgewater Hall, Birmingham Town and Symphony Halls.

Russian-born Veronika Shoot moved to the UK at the age of five when her father Vladislav Shoot became the composer-in-residence at Dartington Hall. Veronika studied with full scholarships at the Yehudi Menuhin and Purcell Schools of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Scottish conservatoire from which she graduated with distinction. In 2019 her solo album ‘Journey Through Childhood’ was released, featuring an array of miniatures by Debussy, Schumann, Lyadov, Takemitsu, and Vladislav Shoot.
Veronika was first introduced to Yoga by her father at the age of five. On meeting Lord Yehudi Menuhin a year later, discovering his ethos and being invited to study at his school, she explored the practice further. Since then, she has integrated the practice into her life and is certified Yoga instructor, particularly enjoying the benefits of this practice with musicians.

Born in Tashkent, Nafis Umerkulova started piano at the age of five inspired by her mother who was a pianist. From 2004 Nafis moved to the UK and was awarded full scholarships to the Purcell School, Royal Academy of Music (2006) and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2010).
Nafis is a passionate soloist and a chamber musician. In September 2019 she released her debut album ‘Darkness illuminated’ featuring the music of Alexander Scriabin and his rarely heard contemporary – Alexei Stanchinsky.
In addition to her performance career, Nafis is dedicated to sharing her experience with younger generations and enjoys teaching very much. She is currently a piano faculty member at the Purcell School and is also working together with her colleagues on their independent Philomel Music Academy.