The next concert this evening was music for two pianos by Debussy and Rachmaninov. To play these pieces we welcomed Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen. Owen I have seen and heard many times, Apekisheva was new to me. Watching them play together this evening though was quite thrilling. Apekisheva attacks the keys with wild, passionate Russian demonstratism, whilst Owen's typical British reserve allowed the passion to flow from the keys without it necessarily affecting his whole body; and yet this ying and yang of outward emotion worked excellently for them as they sparked off each other excellently mainting excellent togetherness and almost being able to feel and anticipate each other's fingering.
The first work to be played this evening was an orchestral work by Debussy, arranged for two pianos by his friend and fellow Frenchman, Ravel. Sometimes known as Trois Nocturnes, they were introduced this evening as The Triptych Nocturnes (Nuages, Fêtes, and Silence). So emotive and effective was the playing that one could have heard a pin drop throughout every pause, as the audience held their breath right until the final few notes had been played. Owen and Apekisheva responding to each other superbly and producing a sublime version of these Nocturnes.
Following this, and over to Apekisheva's homeland for Rachmaninov's Suite No 1 (op 9). I had never heard this music before, but became an instant fan. Undeniably Russian in flavour, Rachmaninov has woven deep and unexpected harmonies, with lush, powerful and expressive melodies creating a velvet-textured piece of exquisite beauty. Jokingly, (since Minimlaism is something Rachmaninov could never be accused of! Quite the opposite) but, the beginnings of the Minimalist Movement in music could be heard quite clearly in the 3rd and final movements, as short phrases were repeated over and over again and then mutated ever so slightly. I wonder if this was indeed where Philip Glass and co. got their idea from?? Just a silly musing....! That notwithstanding, the music was divine and played with passion and completely flawlessly. Magical!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 24/8/19
No comments:
Post a Comment