Autore: ChristopherAxworthyMusicCommentary

Concert at the Romanian Culturale Institute in Belgrave Square,packed out for the first collaboration with the Keyboard Charitable Trust in a concert billed as a Piano Tour de Force to celebrate that remarkable musician George Enescu. Two of the KCT`s finest pianists Evgeny Genchev and Mihai Ritivoiu in a real feast of virtuoso piano works by Bach,Chopin,Liszt ,Vine ,Silvestri and,of course Enescu. The majestic Overture in a French style with Evgeny that opened the concert contrasted well with Carl Vine`s Toccatissimo with Mihai,written as a trial of fire for the Sydney International Piano Competition. The sharp well defined rhythms brought to life by the two young virtuosi with a real sense of urgency and impulse but never lacking in sharp dynamic contrasts. The overt virtuosity of the Vine superbly brought to life with real feats of dexterity from delicate pianissimi to overpowering fortissimi ,never a harsh sound from this young musician always with a clear sense of line . The virtuosity was less evident in the Bach of Evgeny ,but anyone who knows these pieces will have appreciated the real tour de force needed to bring this neglected masterpiece to life. Two Enescu pieces: Mihai with the Pavane and Evgeny with the unpublished Regrets ,gratefully sent for the occasion by the Enescu Foundation. The music has much in common with that other polyhedric genius Ferruccio Busoni and reflects very much the period it was written . Evgenys beautifully suggestive sound palate suited Regrets and led to some very refined music making and for us with the wish to hear some more of these much neglected works. Mihais Pavane was more down to earth which may have been indeed a later less romantic piece. And now the two great romantic works on the programme Chopin`s Polonaise Fantasie op 61 and Liszt`s Dante . In this beautiful house in one of London’s most elegant squares it must have been reminiscent of the duel between the great virtuosi of Liszt`s day. Mihais Chopin perhaps more fantasy than polonaise but playing of such refinement as to be reminded that these masterworks are indeed canons covered in flowers . Evgenys Dante had all the diavolism that Liszt himself must have demonstrated coupled with some sublime contrasts that put the much played work into its true perspective as one of Liszt` s true masterpieces. The duel now over the fun could begin with our two young virtuosi joining forces,four hands on one piano for Constantin Silvestri`s Romanian Dances from Transylvania. Reminiscent of Bartok I well remember Silvestri as conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and at the RFH and it was interesting to be reminded of what a real musician meant in days not so far away every bit as reminiscent of the kappelmeister of Bachs time. These dances played with real” joie de vivre” now the concert was drawing to a close and a very insistent public were rewarded with a repeat performance of one of the more energetic dances. Great success was crowned with drinks in the beautiful wood panelled library of this magnificent Romanian Institute We look forward to many more such enjoyable and instructive evenings in the future

More surprises in London today at St James`s with the Malaysian pianist Hao Zi Yoh. A waif of a young girl in a flaming red dress came floating on to open up a real Pandoras box infront of an attentive and delighted audience. A real conjuring trick on a not easy Fazioli piano. In her hands Beethoven`s op 109 was restored to its rightful place at the pinnacle of the piano repertoire.The form,as we have come to expect from her much admired teacher Christopher Elton ,strictly adhered to but with just the right flexibility and sound that is the stuff of only a chosen few. One of those that springs to mind immediately is Alicia deLarocha .Often I would sit in the wings of my theatre during her recitals and would marvel not only at her composure and complete command but at the ravishing sounds that such a small hand could conjure up from a box of hammers and strings .Infact turning baubels into gems just as Hai Zi Yoh did today with Albeniz Rondena and Triana . Szymanowski`s DonJuan Serenade from Masques proceeded this and she made just as persuasive a case as Richter in restoring this pianistic masterpiece to the repertoire. Of couse it takes a trascendental technique to be able to do justice to this amazingly intricate web of sounds Almost as an encore we got some pure jazz with Kapustin`s Oscar Peterson like Blue Bossa Paraphrase. And here as with all seasoned jazz players we were treated to some very refined and exhilarating piano playing. Let us not forget this extraordinary prize winner of the Jaques Samuel Piano Competition

Vitaly Pisarenko’s triumph with Rach 3 at the RCM today . It was almost 50 years ago since I heard the much publicised debut of an 18 year old John Lill at the RCM in this same work with the student orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. The work was that was then considered the almost impossibly difficult Rachmaninov third piano concerto. I spent most of my after school time at the free concerts offered by the RCM . The much publicised film Shine was based on this very debut of John Lill. Confusing David Helfgott with John Lill .And Angus Morrison his teacher with the much more well known Cyril Smith . So it was with great nostalgia that I returned today to hear this young virtuoso in the same work.A work that has become almost standard repertoire for most advanced students these days. But can this concerto have ever received such an impassioned and involved performance as today.Only once have I heard a similar participation and that was with Vitalys teacher,Dmitri Alexeev in Rome thirty years ago with the radio orchestra . Maybe now Vitaly could take more time and let the impassioned lines stand in their own noble space.But one must note he was not helped by an orchestra that was obviously not used to playing with an artist of this calibre and sounded as though they needed to listen more attentively to the lesson that was lain before them by this remarkable young musician. However a roar of approval justly greeted this remarkable performance. Beseeched for an encore ,that was understandably not conceded, as he had given this performance absolutely every ounce of energy and concentration that he could muster. Next time,dear Vitaly, for this is just the thrilling beginning to an illustrious career as was John Lill all those years ago.

Wonderful sunny day in Padua today for two Sunday recitals by two very remarkable young pianists.

Great expectations awaited the return to London of Lukas Geniusas,the young Lithuanian ~Russian pianist much admired recently in the Tchaikowsky Competition in Moscow. Supreme control and superb sense of balance that allowed him to make the piano sing in a way that is all too rare these days. The first Brahms sonata that so often is given a heavy orchestral sound was here in the hands of this magician sheer poetry. Rarely have those rather ungrateful chords sounded so beautiful.An orchestra ,yes ,but the Berlin Philharmonic in this pianists hands.So many magical moments but maybe the most sublime was the way he sang the second subject of the first movement In no way was the rythmic energy sacrificed, for this was a full blooded performance reminiscent of a young Wilhelm Kempff. The Beethoven too ,so often thrown off as early Beethoven can be.Full of astonishing contrast but never sacrificing the overall line and impetus ,so much part of Beethoven’s soul. Astonishing sounds too after the interval in 3 Burlesques by Bartok.Here in the hands of this master pianist were the most beguiling pieces that made one wonder why they are not heard more often. I think the answer lies that there are not many pianists after Richter that can rise to the challenges that they pose. Prokofiev 7th sonata came as a bit of an anticlimax with the first movement too fast to really allow the contrasts to tell.The second movement not simple or projected enough.The last movement for its control and unrelenting rhythmic impetus brought the recital to a triumphant end. Unfortunately two Chopin encores in extreme bad taste .A mazurka with the strangest rubato and a “Cat “waltz at such breakneck speed it was more reminiscent of “Kitten on the keys” than the” aristocat” that it could be in the hands of a Rubinstein. Pity to finish on such a note after a recital of some supreme musicianship and trascendental piano playing.

The beautiful 12th century church of St Mary’s in Perivale was the venue for a recital by Vitaly Pisarenko . Seen from a distance this wooden church could almost be in some scandanavian country instead of in the middle of Ealing golf course. It is the venue ,together with the nearby and much larger brother St.Barnabas ,of some extraordinary concerts by some of the most talented young musicians around. Founded by Hugh Mather and his remarkable team they are to celebrate ,this coming week ,their one thousandth concert . This concert by one of the stars of the Keyboard Charitable Trust coincided in New York with a memorial concert for Paris Ionescu,grandson of the founder of the Trust ,cruelly taken from us at only 28 years of age just before Christmas. In New York another of the KCT stars :Bolai Cao was performing . So for us with New York in our hearts it was a doubly poignant occasion. And what an occasion it was! This beautiful little gem full to the rafters for some extraordinary music making by one of the younger generation’s foremost pianists. His reputation from his triumphal television appearances in the Leeds International Piano Competition last september had be watched and admired by a vast audience and so it was with great anticipation that he performed in this exquisite venue to an enthusiastic audience. And the cherry on the cake were indeed the homemade tea and cakes offered to their very attentive audience at the end. Starting with Haydn’s.E minor sonata it was obvious from the first note that here was a most sensitive and intelligent performer. If the slow movement could have been projected more as almost an operatic aria it was more than compensated for by the” joie de vivre” and charm of the final vivace. So many beautiful things in Schumann ‘s Fantasiestucke op 12. From the sublimely whispered Des Abends to the almost Haydnesque impish humour of Traumes Wirren. In all this the extreme.control of dynamics and the sheer beauty of the sonorities found led to a truly memorable account. Too many unforgettable moments in a performance where the music was allowed to speak in a direct and simply way. Warum …..indeed beautifully and delicately projected,and if Grillen could have been allowed to sing more one felt that here was an original musical mind at work .The atmosphere created at the Ende vom Lied was reminiscent of the unforgettable performances of Rubinstein. So having forged his credentials as as a true poet of the piano it came as a thunderbolt the sheer energy and musical virtuosity ,after the interval ,with Chopin ‘s First Scherzo. For me one of the finest performances on record and judging from the cheers of this discerning audience I think there was no doubt in any one’s mind that we were in the presence of a true master. Confirmed by the passionate virtuosity combined with extreme delicacy of the Scriabin Fantasy and Third Sonata that closed the programme. A single encore of a recently found fragment by Rachmaninoff confirmed the intelligence of this remarkable young musician. Graced by the presence of Nina Walker now in her 90th year ,who I well remember in recital with Monserrat Caballe. Enthusiastic, as we all were ,she announced that she would be in the front row for Vitaly’s Rachmaninoff 3rd Piano Concerto at the RCM on the 3rd of February……I think there will be big queue for tickets with the reputation that he is fast gaining. At the end of this memorable concert.a charming note from Bolai Cao in New York to reassure us that he is rehearsing and that all is well. In fact New York ~ London we were united music ………..

Alberto Portugheis 75th Birthday concert at .St.James Piccadilly. So many beautiful moments from a life dedicated to beauty and peace. A Mozart Sonata in C K.330 played in what one would now a days call “old style”,but is that such a bad thing if the music is allowed to speak with such a human voice. So many beautiful things in what must be one of the most passionate performances of Schuberts last and perhaps greatest sonata .Maybe exagerated the naked passion exposed by Alberto on this occasion,but as he said afterwards, Schubert knew that he was dying and would you too not have moments of sublime serenity mixed with anguished rebellion. Not a moment of boredom or indifference in this performance .All the more remarkable when you consider the enormous scope of this, one of the real ” Romantic” men of yesteryear. Enough to think that Alberto Portugheis was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his Peace work and proposals .All the more remarkable when you remember that as a young man ,great friend of Martha Argerich,he won first prize at the Geneva Concours de Virtuosite’. Birds of a feather indeed not only for their remarkable music but above all for their great humanity.

Remarkable new recording from Mark Viner. Reading the record sleeve that this remarkable young artist was trained in England says something for the enormous change in musical education in the UK . Once one always looked to the USA or the Eastern countries for serious early training but thanks to the Purcell School and similar places – Menuhin,Cheethams etc the magnificent results are now coming to fruition. I well remember the apparition of Raymond Lewenthal all those years ago with his remarkable series of Liszt/Alkan recitals that had a vast public queuing all night for return tickets at the Wigmore Hall. A public that had only read in history books about all the remarkable pianists of which Liszt of course was the figurehead. As on the apparition of Sigismond Thalberg in Paris and the famous duel between he and Liszt in the salon of the Princess Belgiojoso. “Thalberg is the first pianist in the world ;……..Liszt is unique”