Tuesday, February 06, 2007

An Rachmaninoff Addiction

Esplanade by night


Inside the concert hall. Sat on the fourth floor but it doesn't matter. The acoustics speaks for itself.

A 'Rachmaninoff' addict. That's me.
We went to watch a classical concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Debussy's Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun was one of the best versions I have heard. Sound was well-balanced. Dynamics not too contrasting, instruments made their entry subtlely, creating an impressionistic illusion.
The pianist is a Russian big name and he probably played the Rach II a thousand times over. Missed the sustained bass note once at the first few measures and that made me sit at the edge of my chair for like 3 seconds. Tempo was a tad too fast at the beginning, a little tricky for the pianist and the orch to sychronise. The second movement was beautiful and the third, crisp and flawless. Somehow though, it lacked something, some lustre or magic. But on the whole, I appreciate it that he didn't overdo it. It was him, it was simply delivered and he obliged with two encores!
When one listens to Rach II, it is easy to be spellbounded. I would never forget one of my early hearings of this piece played by another Russian big name at VCH. Sat in the 2nd row, 4m from the pianist. He was amazing. He probably had also played this a thousand times, er, maybe 999 times. He was humming with the piece, moving with the music, as if he was playing Richard Clayderman. But this was a piece that is considered one of the world's most demanding piano pieces. It was unforgettable.
Brahms' Symphony No. 4 in E Minor was zzzzzzzzzz all the way.

5 comments:

rene said...

oh i would love to see a concert at the Esplanade someday..how are u? trip to BJS all planned? be extra careful and remember nothing is guaranteed when u do biz there..not even a signed contract or document..cover yourselves.

tooski said...

Wah, sounds like a critic giving a review...Anyway, our Mendelssohn and Brahms for the encore is actually a Gluck and a Scarlatti Sonata!! Ryan is right to sleep for the Brahms symphony, as the ST puts it, it was wine (Debussy and Rach) to vinegar (Brahms by SSO!!!)

Momo said...

Tooski: Thot it would be a Scarlatti for the second. The pianist produced a Scarlatti album. Do you know the names of the pieces?

Rene: Not prepared!! I got another backup from Sri Lanka. Anyway, the China one is very on. See how it goes. Super busy lately...have to complete my thesis this month and hand in for good.

Momo said...

Oh forgot to add that the way SSO played the Brahms, it seemed like they want to "GET RID OF IT".

tooski said...

it's gluck's melody from his opera orpheus and euridyce and scarlatti's sonata in D. Enjoy your trip! Dun trust them too easily! They are very wu2 ci3 one!