Autore: ChristopherAxworthyMusicCommentary

When I first heard Arcadi Volodos in Rome some years ago ,the phrase that greeted Horowitz’s Paris debut came to mind “the greatest pianist alive or dead”.

Miraculous performance in Rome tonight of the Ebene Quartet with Mitsuko Uchida. Five magnificent musicians playing as one . This young french Quartet looking hard at each other rather than the score which they had obviously fully digested .The cellist in particular in sublime sintonia with the viola .The first violin providing the impetus with subtelty and passion. A revolutionary sounding Haydn op 20 n.2 followed by a sublime rendering of the Ravel Quartet. Of course joined after the interval by Mitsuko Uchida we were treated to an exemplary reading of the Schumann Quintet. If in her effort to be an integral part of this magnificent music making,she was almost too retiscent, it may well be that we have become too used to this old war horse being played by a soloist with the addition of a string quartet. The shortest of encores, one of the little pieces op 19 n.2 by Schoenberg .The same she had played this summer at the Proms after a massive performance of Schoenbergs Piano Concerto this summer. What music ! What a breath of fresh air was breathed tonight …… A real miracle I would say. P.S. It was not for nothing that Rosalyn Tureck voted for her in the Leeds Competition all those years ago. She came in second with Andras Schiff – Dmitri Alexeev won.

The fabulous Parco della Musica in Rome .Home to Pappano and his wonderful orchestra Having listened on the drive home ,to their new CD withBeatrice Rana in Prokofiev n 2 and the old war horse of Tchaikowsky .Has the opening theme ever sung out more expressively as in Pappanos magic hands.Fabulous piano playing from Beatrice at home where her teacher Benedetto Lupo resides at the Accademia di S Cecilia who now have their home here. Alla in the family real “hausmusik” all thanks to Prof Cagli being the right person in the right place at the right time.Hats off caro Bruno now enjoying a well deserved rest having bequeathed to Rome what many thought was impossibile. Now this morning on the BBC I learn that this very disc Has already entered the classica recording chart.This week at 21 and rising rapidly!

The second time this month that I hear Alexandre Tharaud and what a joy it turns out to be to admire this aristocrat of the piano. As in St Johns in London ,here in Rome too the scores firmly in view on the piano stand . Whereas in London it was for the Goldberg Variations,here in Rome a mixed programme of Ravel,Grieg and Beethoven op 57. I am totally against solo pianists using the score(look at the difference it made to Curzon and most notably Richter)but if this is the only way we can have this remarkable artist,then so be it. I think it would add another dimention without the score , his playing is so reminiscent of my renowned Mentor Guido Agosti.The whole musical world flocked to his studio in Siena to hear the most refined,intelligent musicianly playing with such perfect and subtle balance between the hands that the colours combined with power ,energy and good taste made one relisten to the most hacknied pieces as if one were listening anew . And so it was with Tharauds” Appassionata”. A revelation as though one were listening to it for the first time.The slow movement in places very original with his simple,fresh musicianship to the fore. If the Ravel Sonatine and Miroirs missed the sumptuousness we are used to, it was more than compensated for by the musical precision and clarity of sound,most probably as Ravel intended it. The scarlatti sonata with the repeated notes ,so often heard as a study and here played as an encore was played at times almost as a frenzied dance.

Full house at the Royal Albert Hall for the young russian pianist Ilya Kondratiev. Impeccable Mozart as you would expect from the class of Vanessa Latarcheat the RCM where this young virtuoso is perfecting his quite considerable artistry. If the last movement of K310 could have sung and been shaped with more legato was probably due more to the piano than Ilyas natural musicianship. Strange how in Liszts Fantasy and Fugue on BACH it is the performer that is fundamental whereas in Bach the instrument and performer are incidental. And what a virtuoso performance we were treated to. It is also nice to remember that it was this score that my old mentor Vlado Perlemuter had on his music stand when he died a few years ago. And what a coincidence that Ilya followed the Liszt with one of Perlemuters favourite pieces Debussy Pour le Piano. Here given a magnificent almost orchestral performance without a hint of sentimentality.I could just imagine Vlados approval. Three Preludes by Gershwin admirably suited to Elton Johns Red Piano Tour Yamaha, generously donated to the Elgar Room by Marksons pianos ended this ,that was in so many ways a remarkable recital. Virtuoso performances full of excitement and energy but sadly lacking in the sense of song that Ilya so magically projected as encores in three Schubert/Liszt song transcriptions . Here Ilya sang his heart out with a sumptuous sense of balance and colour and made you realise just what neglected masterpieces these really are. No mean feat for a young man on a Sunday morning. Here he is pictured with Canan Maxton from Talent Unlimited who does so much to help these wondrous young musicians find an audience.That is all they need…..no mean feat though these days l

A dream come true for Mihai Ritivoiu performing at the Reform Club the venue used by Jules Verne in his novel “Around the World in 80 days”.His grandmother used to read the book to him and he often used to wonder what a ” Gentleman’s Club ” would look like. So now he knows and also knows what a great venue the library is for his refined piano playing. Schuberts great C minor Sonata played with all the intellectual rigour allied to a sure sense of structure allowed the many sublime moments to be appreciated without sentimentality but with real noble sentiment. Rigoletto Paraphrase at just the right pace and in the right place for the ball. Mozart ‘s Sonata opened this pre lunchtime programme played with all the intelligence and sensitivity that one would expect from a student of Joan Havill. The concert was for the Beethoven Gold Medal Prize Winner…..and it would have been a real treat to have some Beethoven from this very fine player……but time is very precious at the Reform Club ~there is a country to govern ~so fingers crossed that there might be a repeat performance in the not too distant future.

+36Christopher Axworthy ha aggiunto 40 nuove foto.24 novembre alle ore 18:48 ·

 Interesting concert at Steinway Hall of the pianist Florian Heinisch for the Keyboard Charitable Trust. In the presence of the composer Sidney Corbett ,the world premier of his PostScript(to an unsent letter). A very evocative piece full of atmospheric sounds beautifully realised by Florian. Schonbergs 6 piano pieces op23 ,this very complex piece fully rendered without the score. If the classical repertoire did not have the finish or the polish of his contemporary interpretations ,the choice of Images lib.1 ,Bachs B major Prelude and Fugue BWV 893 and the rarely heard two movement sonata op 54 of Beethoven ,showed a refreshingly informed musical mind in his choice of repertoire Of course the real hero of the evening was Dott.von Bredow ,founder member and trustee of the KCT who has done more than anyone ,with his passion for music, to promote young artists,providing many concert engagements not only throughout Germany but expanding almost daily to include Turkey,Jerusalem and Spain. For he knows that it is only through playing in public regularly that these very gifted young artists can aspire to take their just place in the profession. Little could we imagine that Moritz von Bredow will have 97 patients tomorrow morning, clammering for his professional consultancy in his clinic in Germany. Passion for music and helping the young evidently has no limits at the KCT. “Hats off” indeed.