Artists are born not made .They can be nurtured and even destroyed but that magic thing that some may call soul is something that grows within by a personality that chooses what to take and what to leave .It was Curzon,though,who wisely said that to be a great pianist is 90% work and 10% God given talent.
It was just the right setting then with Marcus Aurelius bestriding his stallion in the capital of Rome for a young man that Marcella Crudeli had realised his talent since his teens and was happy to introduce him to her public at the presentation of her International Piano Competition next month.
Now only just 24 and obviously realising what a responsibility his talent is,he has finally dedicated all the hours needed to allow his talent to flourish and take wing .
And take wing it certainly did today!
An unbelievable transformation as we saw before us the birth of a great artist with an artistic personality and temperament that left me bewitched ,bothered and bewildered .
A performance of Beethoven’s Moonlight sonata that was like hearing it with the ink still wet on the page .All Beethoven’s indications were there but there was a personality of such daring artistry that it was quite breathtaking in its beauty,dynamic drive and simple originality.
Chopin playing where he breathed in a way that the greatest Bel canto singers could only dream to be able to imitate.
Liszt’s Venezia e Napoli was played like the greatest opera performance ever.
Showmanship too with the Tarantella but it was the sublime melodic line in the central episode that will remain in my memory to cherish.
A Campanella of incredible finesse and artistry followed by the disarming beauty of Chopin’s posthumous C sharp minor nocturne
Of course the C minor nocturne op 48 earlier had been monumental just as the first Ballade had been so romantically original and full of ravishing beauty and fire but never neglecting the composers indications.
Dear Marcella you were right Emanuele Savron has become a great artist.
Thanks must also go to Leonid Magarius in Imola who has obviously been cracking his Russian whip just in time to allow his talent to flourish and flower as we all saw today and that you had seen already some years ago.
The study op. 25 n.1 was allowed to sing so beautifully – often referred to as the ‘Aeolian harp’ study the reason for which was so apparent in Emanuele’s very sensitive hands.There was a bel canto sense of breathing with very stylish phrasing of timeless beauty allowing the music all the time necessary to unfold with disarming simplicity and beauty.
The study op 25 n.12 known as the ‘Ocean’ study because of its continual waves of sound over the entire keyboard.I had heard Emanuele play this very study two years ago and was astonished and overwhelmed by his performance today that was of such overwhelming authority and passion with never a moment of doubt as the great bass melodic line was allowed to seduce us with ravishingly sumptuous sounds.
There was great beauty as the Ballade in G minor was allowed to unfold at the start of a great journey.A tone poem of beauty,excitement and passion.Some say that the Ballades were inspired by the poems of Mickiewicz but it was the poetry that flowed from this young mans hands that was so beguiling and overwhelmingly convincing.The opening fiortiora was allowed to unfold with consummate ease and with such personality as he drew out the melodic line with a rubato that was so eloquent allowing the music to speak with disarming poignancy.
Passion and virtuosity united to ignite this Ballade with the same youthful passion with which it had been born.The coda was played with extraordinary musicianship but also showmanship as the final scales shot to the top of the keyboard like rockets only to be greeted by the calming balm of gently vibrating chords before the final tumultuous cascade of octaves that were played with aristocratic nobility and passionate commitment.The final chords played quite gently as this young poet of the piano was listening so sensitively to the great story that was being told.
No fear for this young man as the music became more and more beautiful and elegant building up to the transcendental frenzy and vibrant virtuosity that Liszt the greatest showman on earth could pull out of his hat.Like Paganini he was able shock and excite his audiences turning the sedate ladies of the salons of the day into screaming ,frenzied animals!
Liszt’s Paganini Study n.3 in G sharp minor better known as ‘La Campanella’ was to follow.
A tone poem from the hands of this young virtuoso that was full of scintillating jeux perlé with cascades of notes played with the ease of a Magaloff.But there was also the exhilaration and passion of a young man who has the means to allow his poetic soul to seep into his superbly trained fingers.The famous trill out of which emerges the Campanella was played with dynamic showmanship and astonishing daring as the transcendental difficulties of the final pages were thrown off with an ease and drive that had us all on our feet cheering at the end.
Veni ,vidi vici ……………..Bravo Emanuele you have done your God given talent proud and tonight truly come of age !……It was about time !!
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 
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