Ida explains why transcriptions are experiencing a bit of a renaissance and what the program will be at the Odeion. She also shares her love for South Africa and our wines. 

Transcriptions have often been the target of critics, yet they have stubbornly refused to disappear. Instead, they are experiencing a true renaissance. 

This upcoming programme reminds us of the dual potential of the form: transcriptions reveal the musical thinking of a composer moved by the artistry of others, recognising great music is not static, but capable of constant evolution. As Ferruccio Busoni once wrote, every great piano work is, in essence, a “reduction” of a greater spirit, and the piano is the perfect vessel for that transformation.

Scholar and artist 

Born in Bergamo, Italy, Ida followed a unique path to the concert stage by choosing to forgo the international competition circuit in favor of deep academic and artistic immersion. 

She studied at the Nice Conservatoire de Région and the École Normale de Musique de Paris – Alfred Cortot under Serguei Markarov, while also completing a double master’s degree at Sorbonne University, specialising in Italian literature and ancient Greek history. 

Her diverse career has seen her perform across Europe, Canada, and Australia, and even appear on screen in series like Find Me in Paris and Munch. Beyond her musical accolades, Ida is a trained sommelier with an international WSET Level 2 certification. 

Oenological concerts

She is currently developing a series of oenological concerts that pair selected wines with her performance repertoire, a passion she is eager to share alongside her love for South Africa.

The recital at the Odeion features a meticulously curated selection of J.S. Bach’s works as reimagined by the masters of the piano:

• Bach-Busoni: "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ", Chorale Prelude BWV 639

• Bach-Busoni: "Nun komm Der Heiden Heiland", Chorale Prelude BWV 659

• Bach-Busoni: Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-flat Major, BWV 998

• Bach-Liszt: Prelude and Fugue in B minor, BWV 544

• Bach-Liszt: Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543

• Bach-Kempff: Siciliano from Flute and Harpsichord Sonata No. 2, BWV 1031

• Bach-Brahms: Chaconne in D minor for the left hand, BWV 1004

Ida’s 2024–2025 season has taken her from the National Gallery in London to Singapore and Thailand, but she remains a devoted fan of South African audiences. 

Experience an evening where “musical substance” meets “constant reworking” in the hands of a performer who truly understands the history behind the notes.

Tickets for this exceptional event are available at Quicket.

OFM dg