just saw André Watts

[mwarner1]

Program:

Mozart:              Rondo in D Major, K. 485
                         Rondo in A minor, K. 511

Schubert:          Klavierstücke: I. Allegro Assai (D. 946/1)

Beethoven:       Piano Sonata 23 (Op. 57)

INTERMISSION

Ravel:               Miroirs: I. Oiseaux Tristes

Debussy:          Estampes: I. Pagodes

Chopin:             Nocturne Op. 27/1
                        Etudes: Op. 10/9, Op. 25/7, Op. 25/1
                        Ballade in G minor, Op. 23


Encore:            No idea, something short but sweet that none of us recognized. Sounded Chopin.


Great program don't you think? I don't know if I could pick a high point of the recital, it was all excellent. The Ravel and Debussy were stunningly beautiful. With the Appassionata he offered interpretational insights that said something new about the piece -- which was very much appreciated. The finale in particular was exciting. Great coda! And the Chopin was all truly excellent. I've heard finer technical performances to be sure, but Watts demonstrated a rare command of structure and expression that never let up. The Schubert was awesome! He didn't seem quite comfortable in the first Mozart rondo, but the second was gorgeous.

Anybody ever see Watts before? What did you think?

[m1469]

Yes, I have.  I saw him play something that my beloved mentor ( ) plays, and so I was a little biased.  Plus I briefly heard him talking with "my" kids (the ones I had with me), who were asking for his autograph, after the concert, and he was nice enough, but... I think I am not 

My real answer is, he was spectacular 


m1469

[pianistimo]

definately a good pianist from his era.  and don't mean that he sounds old because he's always thoughtful and genuine.  and, has good repore with the audience.  BUT, he uses a lot of peripheral gestures as was taught a few years back.  for instance - in between movements and/or songs he does this 'move wrists into each other and back out.'  (unless it was physical therapy after an accident or something).  i thought it was not exactly helpful to his playing and kind of distracting.  but, oh well, he can get away with anything at this point.  he's a known quantity and a loving kind of person - and it comes out in his music.

[mwarner1]

BUT, he uses a lot of peripheral gestures as was taught a few years back.  for instance - in between movements and/or songs he does this 'move wrists into each other and back out.' 

Yes, this is true. At the end of the Appassionata, he also started kicking his leg occasionally, and ultimately was tapping his right foot in rhythm during the coda. Some people found it distracting. I did not. As I already said, I found his Appassionata to offer something fresh and new I've never heard. For me,  his peripheral gestures only added to this seeming spontaneity... even though it's probably somewhat of a performance gimmick he does every time, in which case it's not at all spontaneous. But it certainly looks spontaneous. The man is a performer, no doubt. He won the audience over before he played a single note.

[pianistimo]

i agree that he wins the audience over right from the get go.  he has a great smile - and he is warm and often cracks a joke or adds something the aura of his playing.  i like him very much and think he has made many fans.  he's genuine even if he's a little extravagant in his hand gestures.

[countchocula]

You know, I've always thought that he is one of the best pianists in the world - so effective in all the styles, and such a great communicator. Beautiful playing.

And yet the pompous know-it-all record collectors never seem to acknowledge him as a great player - they seem so hung up on Richter and Arrau, and most recently Hamelin and Schiff - I don't get it.  Watts is still ALIVE!  and still playing wonderfully!  Such color, imagination, and variety of touches - Yet he is not taken seriously by the typical afficionado (neither is LangLang, for that matter).  What is the deal?

He has always displayed real virtuosity - not that over-practiced, square, pinpoint precision sound that today's generation pianists get (LangLang excluded), but a real pianistic flair, real sparks.

I can honestly say that he is the best live performer that I have ever seen.