Yefim Bronfman recital tonight

[le_poete_mourant]

Hey -- anybody going to the Bronfman recital at the Eastman theater (Rochester NY) tonight Tuesday Feb 28.  Looks like an amazing program

Beethoven - Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 27 No. 1

Schumann - Fantasy in C major

Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit

Balakirev - Islamey




I'm excited about this one! 

[pianistimo]

i've never heard this pianist - so you'll have to tell us about his playing, ok.  (wish i lived in NY sometimes).

[le_poete_mourant]

Well, he's definitely a fabulous pianist!  Also a short one -- he had to have a mat under the bench to raise him to the right level.  His Beethoven was very nice.  The Schumann was lacking perhaps a little in the right range of emotions.  i.e., it could have had much more contrasts.  Gaspard was the highlight of the night, though!  What an amazing performance of this.  Very thoughtful.  He wasn't especially worried about rushing through the piece, but he still went at a decent pace.  Beautiful playing.  I wasn't so fond of the Islamey.  Definitely a good rendition, but I wouldn't go as far as to say great.  It seemed a little unclear at times, but then again it could just have been the acoustics. 

As an encore, he played something we couldn't positively identify but sounded a lot like Scarlatti.  Then he played the Revolutionary Etude.  Amazing.  A knuckle-busting pace, but such a emotional, poignant interpretation. 

[pianistimo]

interesting to hear about his interpretations from another pianist.  i always thought pianist critics should play the piano too.