Distinguished Concerts Singers International; Distinguished Concerts Orchestra 

Jonathan Griffith and Nancy Menk, conductors

Ola Gjeilo, composer-in-residence and piano

Diana McVey, soprano; Emily Hughes, mezzo-soprano

Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York, New York

November 13, 2023

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) kicked off its 2023-2024 season with a concert entitled Twilight Mass, featuring the world premiere of Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s work of the same name. Vivaldi’s much-loved Gloria in a version using only treble voices was the other work on the program.  The Distinguished Concerts Singers International brought performers from California, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, and individual singers around the globe – a sign that perhaps the nightmare that began in 2020 is finally over once and for all. 

As a side note, this reviewer is glad to see the return of the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra to the stage.  Seeing concertmaster Jorge Ávila make his way to the stage was like seeing an old friend after a long absence. 

Nancy Menk took the podium to conduct Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria. Although this work is usually performed with the standard SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) setting, tonight’s performance was for treble voices only (SSAA). Ms. Menk has stated that this is possibly Vivaldi’s original version – but I will leave that question to the historians and musicologists. 

Ms. Menk is a DCINY veteran – this is her fifth appearance, and the third time this reviewer has seen her work. As I have written in the past, Ms. Menk is an accomplished choral conductor who is confident in her approach, and she “runs a tight ship.” I had every reason to believe these qualities would be present this evening, and I was not disappointed. Let’s get the very few quibbles out of the way. The orchestral opening in the Gloria in excelsis Deo was a bit too muted for my liking, so the voices completely dominated them. Thankfully adjustments were made, and this was not a recurring issue. Also, the double fugue in the Cum Sancto Spiritu was not entirely crisp and distinct. Forgive me if this seems overly critical – after all, some indistinctness is not a huge surprise when well over one hundred voices are in play.

Now for the positive side of things, the ensemble and diction were excellent throughout. The preparation of the choirs prior to this evening was readily apparent and the direction of the skillful Ms. Menk was the “icing on the cake,” in what was a fine performance. The Domine Fili unigenite had a joyful “bounce” in what was my favorite section for the chorus. Let’s not forget the soloists, soprano Diana McVey and mezzo-soprano Emily Hughes. Their duet in Laudamus Te was exquisite. As for the solo work by Ms. McVey, the Domine Deus, Rex coelestis was her highlight. The highlight for Ms. Hughes was Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Both have strong voices that easily reach throughout the hall without stridency or any loss of musical quality. Special mention must be made to oboist Ryan Walsh, for his solo in the Domine Deus, Rex coelestis movement. 

While the stage was being set for the second act, composer Ola Gjeilo joined Jonathan Griffith for a conversation about his work Twilight Mass. This is also Mr. Gjeilo’s fifth appearance with DCINY. The Twilight Mass is a companion work to his 2008 Sunrise Mass. It is scored for string orchestra, piano (Mr. Gjeilo was the pianist tonight), chorus, and soprano soloist. Mr. Gjeilo demonstrated some motifs from the Sanctus movement and called his work a Missa Brevis because of the omission of the Credo. The most interesting takeaway was Mr. Gjeilo’s mention of streaming and Spotify, the idea that listeners prefer smaller, short sections that they can work into playlists, etc. He said that this was part of why the Twilight Mass is nine short sections (his previous Sunrise Mass having been four longer sections). I leave it to the reader as to whether this is an astute adjustment to the demands of today’s listeners or a sad commentary on those same listeners. 

After the talk, Mr. Gjeilo readied himself at the piano, and Maestro Griffith took the podium. What happened next is still reverberating in my mind in a way that very few works have. Perhaps it is the times we are living in, or the general feeling of anger and despair that is suffocating, but for half an hour, beauty and hope prevailed. Make no mistake, Mr. Gjeilo’s music is not what anyone would describe as revolutionary, as his language is tonal to the core, and there is very little overt complexity, but in this ostensibly simplistic approach he makes magic happen. It’s not manipulative, cloying, or saccharine, just sincere. His arrow hit the musical bullseye.

From the first notes of the Kyrie, I knew something special was happening. I wrote one word in my notes about this movement: Beautiful! Anything else would be superfluous. As I could easily go on and on, I’m going to focus on some favorite moments/movements. The vibrant syncopation in the Domine Deus was rendered by the chorus with ebullience, or if you prefer, they rocked the house! The Sanctus reminded me of Mr. Gjeilo’s earlier work, Dark Night of the Soul – the driving ostinato, the “pull back,” and the return to a driving ostinato.  The Kyrie motif also reappears in the Sanctus. It was a close second place to the Kyrie as my favorite movement of the work. 

Diana McVey was back as the soprano soloist, and her solo in the Laudamus te was striking; it was in the Domine Deus, however, that her voice truly soared to the stratosphere. It was heavenly. 

Time to take a moment to recognize the outstanding chorus and orchestra, led by Maestro Griffith with his customary mastery. When the final notes of the Agnus Dei faded away, the large audience gave Mr. Gjeilo and the performers a very well-deserved loud and extended standing ovation. As to streaming platforms and such, I do hope Twilight Mass is made available in short order! 

Sihao He, Luiz Fernando Venturelli, Sydney Lee, and Haddon Kay, cellists

Merkin Hall, The Kaufmann Center, New York, NY

October 20, 2023

Some reviews are a joy to write, and this is one of them. Some ensembles “have it all” and the Galvin Cello Quartet is one of those, based on their New York Debut on October 20 at Merkin Hall. Despite the seeming sameness of four cellists as an ensemble, these four highly individual musicians, Sihao He, Haddon Kay, Luiz Fernando Venturelli, and Sydney Lee (the only female), showed what a surprising range of sound and repertoire is possible for this combination, especially when each member is also an experienced soloist boasting an impressive array of prizes and distinctions, as is the case here. Their vibrancy is enriched by their diverse cultural backgrounds (China, Brazil, South Korea, and the United States), and at the same time, they exude the warmth of their common bond as students of Hans Jørgen Jensen at the Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University. In fact, their name “Galvin” is from the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall at that school.

Presented as part of a series called “Musicians on the Rise” by the Kaufman Center and Concert Artists Guild, whose competition they won in 2022, the Galvin Quartet members are most definitely on the rise, though one senses that if they stayed exactly where there are right now, they would be just fine with that – such is their infectious positive energy. Their mission to share the love of music is palpable and irresistible, a quality the classical music world needs sorely. Though this reviewer has come away from the finest recitals thinking, “I wish there were a larger audience to hear them,” the Galvin Quartet recital has gone a step further leaving one thinking, “They’re going to create that larger audience.” Attractive, personable, and passionate, they are a manager’s dream.

The evening opened with a short video about the quartet, not something true music lovers expect or need, but perhaps a sign of things to come in this social media world. The quartet was shown preparing for a recording session, posing for photos, making dinner together, and generally enjoying their obvious camaraderie. (For full disclosure, I was unable to attend this recital in person, so was given unedited footage of the entire event).

Directly after that video, the quartet launched into the final Presto of Vivaldi’s “Summer” from The Four Seasons. It was a fresh, riveting arrangement in which one never missed the original instrumentation. The cellists exchanged furioso passages with crisp precision and an edge-of-the-seat excitement. Though the Vivaldi is quite familiar, it is certainly not familiar in this cello quartet arrangement, as Sihao He noted. Joking about the rarity and quirks of cello quartets (including the unusual need for eight flight tickets to travel), Mr. He was determined to put the audience at ease, saying “Be comfortable and please don’t behave” – and “Let’s have some fun tonight.” In explaining why the group plays mostly without music stands (unusual for a quartet of strings), he stated that the group likes for there to be no barriers between them and the audience, opting for closeness, a preference we could already sense.

If all of this “fun” had one wondering whether these players might be all levity with little substance, the next work set that record straight. Wagner’s Feierliches Stück (ending with strains of the famous Wedding March) was given an intensely stirring performance. Each cellist played with refined lyricism, and the group blended magnificently.

Rotating roles and microphones, Sydney Lee spoke next, to introduce Rossini’s piece Une Larme (“A Tear”), originally for cello and piano, but heard here in an arrangement that divvied up the melodies. She asked Haddon Kay to play the descending “tear” motif so the audience could look out for it – a helpful suggestion that bodes well for the group’s work in schools and outreach. Despite this sad motif, the piece built to quite a lather, with bouncing bows and cadenzas abounding in pyrotechnics.

Mr. Venturelli, Ms. Lee, and Mr. He shared in the announcement of the next work, the world premiere of a piece called Cadence by Zhou Tian. Commissioned in partnership with Concert Artists Guild, it represents part of the quartet’s effort to expand the repertoire for this particular instrumentation while exploring diverse cultural backgrounds that connect with theirs. Exciting and colorful, it brought out the oneness of sound that this quartet can achieve, whether playing in harmony or in rapid alternation, while also exploring a wide range of sonorities. From lyrical moments to more dazzling perpetual motion sections, the piece and the performers were captivating.

Haddon Kay introduced the next work, Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout, by Gabriela Lena Frank. He spoke about cultural connections shared with the composer’s heritage (Chinese, American, and South American) and gave eloquent descriptions of each of its six movements, Toyos, Tarqueda, Hymno de Zampoñas, Chasqui, Canto de Velorio, and Coqueteos. All that he described sprang to life in the group’s playing – the evocations of panpipes, “smoky” landscapes, guitars, and more.

Mr. Venturelli then announced the ensemble’s arrangement of Three Preludes by Gershwin. We’ve all heard countless arrangements of these gems, and for good reason. This one, very free in the playing and in the arrangement itself, can certainly hold its head up among the rest. The program was capped off with Piazzolla’s La Muerte Del Angel, given a driving energy that galvanized (or shall we say “Galvin-ized”) the audience into a rousing standing ovation. Some very gracious thanks from Ms. Lee to all those involved in the concert followed, capped off with an encore of David Popper’s Elfentanz, at near record-breaking speed.

Congratulations go out to all involved in this quartet’s exciting debut, not least of all to Concert Artists Guild for choosing them!

Regina Shenderovich, piano

The National Opera Center – OPERA America, New York, NY

November 3, 2023

In one of those miracles to which New Yorkers are privy if they pay attention, gifted Russian-American pianist Regina Shenderovich came to the National Opera Center this Friday to play the complete Book II of J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier – in other words, the last 24 of the Bach 48 Preludes and Fugues. It was extraordinary. This reviewer had heard Ms. Shenderovich last in 2018 in a live performance of Bach’s Art of the Fugue, another unusual undertaking (reviewed here: Regina Shenderovich), and it was a pleasure to be present for this continued traversal of the great master’s work. 

For those wishing to know the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, arguably the greatest composer who ever lived, one could hardly do better than Books I and II of his Well-Tempered Clavier (48 Preludes and Fugues, two in each key, major and minor). It is a feast for the ears, mind, and heart. Complete sets of recordings have been made by some of the greatest musicians (including pianists Gould, Richter, Tureck, Gulda, Demus, Schiff, Nikolayeva, Hewitt, and Barenboim, and harpsichordists Leonhardt, Kirkpatrick, Landowska, and Gilbert, for a start), but there is perennially room for more. Despite the greatness of these works, not many pianists (or harpsichordists) take on even a single complete book of them in live concert. Undoubtedly this rarity is largely because of the demands on the performer for what approaches a 130-minute marathon (not including intermission), but it also may be out of concern for today’s audiences. Even the staunchest concertgoers (let alone the hyper-stimulated Auto-Tune crowd) may prefer to savor a couple of Preludes and Fugues at a time from a favorite recording at home, rather than sitting bolt upright in a concert hall through hours of cerebrally taxing music, no matter how magnificent. That said, it is an unforgettable experience to witness the performance of an entire volume in an evening, and Ms. Shenderovich gave us that rare opportunity to hear the set played exceptionally well. 

Technically, she displayed superb control. There was hardly a finger slip in the entire evening, and those that occurred were negligible, like the rare absent tone tending to coincide with a rough page turn. (Ideally, if one is performing these with a score, today’s technology could make that page-turning aspect seamless.)

In matters of tempo and dynamics, Ms. Shenderovich showed an uncanny sense of what works best for nearly every piece and was able to highlight each individual voice throughout, through the most challenging stretti and dense counterpoint. For this listener, fortunate enough to have a score on hand, everything on the page was matched aurally with a lucidity that brought back inspirational graduate seminars in Bach. 

From the very first notes of the opening Prelude and Fugue in C Major (No. 1), we knew we were in good hands. From the regal feeling in the Prelude to the crisp mordents in the Fugue, all felt just right. Repeats were never “rubber-stamped” but were refreshed, in the C-minor Prelude (No. 2) through varied voicing, in the heraldic D-major Prelude (No. 5) through phrasing, and in the D-sharp minor Prelude (No. 8) through altered articulation, including some skillful overholding to bring out a previously underplayed alto line. 

Other particularly good articulations were in the D-minor Fugue (No. 6, with a delightful lift before subsequent tied notes) and the G-minor Prelude (No. 15) with its nearly double-dotted crispness à la French Overture and masterfully fleet four-voice fugue to follow. The D-sharp minor Fugue (No. 8) stood out for the dynamic shaping of its subject, which can easily sound obnoxious if played as equal hammer blows (as sometimes happens). The time taken at the end of this one also felt appropriate. 

There seemed no formula for ritardandi (or anything else) in this set, with a number of pieces ending somewhat abruptly and others winding down gently, but clearly much thought went into each one. (Occasionally this listener wanted more winding down.)

In terms of flow, Ms. Shenderovich showed remarkable ability overall. In the Prelude in E Major (No. 9), she managed to mark phrases with artful breathing, while keeping a sense of pulse, a virtue not as common as one might hope. This pulse felt slightly less regular in the G-major Prelude (No. 15, in which the left hand seemed a tad slower on entry than the right hand), and also at times in the B-major Fugue (No. 23), but in general, it felt just right. One marveled in the F-sharp minor (No. 14) which managed to be slow enough to let us assimilate all the harmonic implications but never so slow that it dragged – perfect. 

The C-sharp major Prelude (No. 3) was special for its transparency under its beautifully held top notes, and its staccatissimo Fugue subject was a joy to follow. One was reminded that when Bach compiled the first book of the Well-Tempered Clavier in 1722 (with the second to be compiled in 1742) he wrote that the set was “for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study.” Those who perform these pieces are in a sense teachers, who must strike the balance between revealing Bach’s imagination and exercising their own. Ms. Shenderovich proved herself to be just such a teacher. 

In terms of emotional projection, favorites were the Preludes in F major (No. 11), which felt peacefully improvisatory, the F-sharp major (No. 13), given a wonderfully light touch, and the freely expressive F-sharp minor (No. 14). 

Sections that reflected less distinction were in the C-sharp minor pair (No. 4) and E-major Fugue (No. 9), which seemed just a bit less engaging. Beyond those, I had interpretive reservations about the E-flat Prelude and Fugue (No. 7). Though the Prelude had a gracious feeling about it, there could have been more sensitivity at times (such as at its meaningful return to the opening), and its corresponding Fugue seemed to ask for more tenderness as well. This Fugue was a favorite of Mozart’s, one guesses for its lyricism – so much so that he chose to arrange it for string quartet. Once one has heard that, one can hardly help feeling inclined towards a less crisp, less detached approach to its inherent lyricism. There also might have been more tender expansiveness in the G-sharp minor Fugue (No. 18 – a double fugue), where one sensed a harder edge and the drive to move things along, as well as in the F-minor Prelude and Fugue (No. 12) which closed the first half; any reservations, however, should be taken in light of the enormous admiration that this undertaking inspired. Some of these pieces are massively complex – such as the F sharp-minor (No. 14), with its triple fugue. Such feats were handled with awe-inspiring ease. 

Ms. Shenderovich has much to say in these works, and people should have been lined up for a block to hear her play them at this free concert. The small audience was certainly no reflection on her, but merely a shame for those absent. Her late grandmother, Olga Tsfasman, to whom the concert was dedicated, would surely have been proud. 

I strongly recommend that Ms. Shenderovich record all of these, one by one, at her leisure – and with Book I – to reach an ever wider audience.

Junwen Liang, piano

Saint Thomas Church, New York, NY

October 22, 2023

This Sunday afternoon at Saint Thomas Church, this reviewer had the pleasure to hear, as part of their Sunday Recital Series, young pianist Junwen Liang. It was a brief recital, around forty-five minutes, but it communicated a lot in a very short time and had enough substance and variety – technically, emotionally, and stylistically – to confirm that this is an extremely gifted and promising young artist.

Mr. Liang opened with Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, K. 330, one of this reviewer’s favorites. It is not always easy to start with Mozart, especially in a highly reverberant church, so when one opens by playing Mozart as beautifully as what we heard, it speaks volumes. Mr. Liang’s playing had clarity, technical polish, and thoughtful attention to phrasing and articulation. It is easy to rush in one’s opening work but Mr. Liang’s approach was refreshingly calm and unhurried. There was one point in the last movement where there may have been a bit too much of a dramatic pause (before the return of the main theme), but all in all, with so much rushing in performances today such savoring is welcome.

This reviewer’s belief, after decades of playing and hearing concerts, is that when the music truly comes first, nerves are much more easily mastered. Mr. Liang puts the music first. Part of how he plunged so immediately into the music and brought it to life so well seemed to be related to his grasp of the operatic elements that lay within it, and these lie within all of Mozart’s Sonatas, in this listener’s opinion. The drama must be so completely engrossing that there is no room to think of oneself or any other distraction. One could hear in Mr. Liang’s interpretation the questions, answers, dialogues, and characters of an opera, all fitting together with beautiful logic. Phrases were allowed to breathe where they needed to – another vocal element – and, as with speech and song, there was always shape and inflection. Critics occasionally will mistake such expressive playing for “Romanticizing” (and this reviewer’s own concerts have received that allegation), but there is really nothing specifically Romantic about shaping phrases and projecting drama, especially when it all adheres so faithfully to the beat, as it did here. It was over in a flash (to the point where there was some regret that not all repeats were taken).

It is tempting to put some of this Mozartean finesse at the doorstep of Mr. Liang’s current teacher, the masterful Richard Goode, the only teacher listed in his printed bio; seeing his slew of degrees, however, this reviewer was curious to learn more and discovered that Mr. Liang has had a wide array of teachers, including also the extraordinary Edward Auer who has been reviewed by New York Concert Review as well. Beyond this, Mr. Liang clearly has his own natural artistry.

It must have been some relief when after Mozart the program moved to Debussy’s Images, Book II. As beautiful as the Steinway is in this church, its big sound along with the reverberant acoustics must have required extreme effort to tame for the Mozart. The reverberation if anything seemed to enhance the musical textures of Debussy. Cloches à travers les feuilles was beautiful and full of shimmering colors. At one point, this listener thought it could have been even more magical, and that was where the piece seems to “open up” (where the meter and key change), and one becomes aware not so much of bells and leaves but of the human spirit’s reaction to them. One wants more reveling here. All in all, though, this was an admirable performance. Et la Lune descend sur le temple qui fut was similarly successful – evocative and ponderous. Occasionally it seemed there might have been still more patience in holding long notes fully, but that can relate to one’s pulse and conception. Poissons d’or was full of silky pianism and sparkle. This listener only wanted a bit more of a sense of play in some parts. Where marked capricieux et souple, for example, Debussy so incredibly evokes the swish and splash of a tail in the water – some goldfish have personality! Anyway, with time and repeat performances, this sense of play will probably increase – and such matters are quite personal.

The program hit its high point with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12. Mr. Liang seems simply made for this work, and it could become a “signature” piece. He knew just where to get the right declamatory feeling at the opening and elsewhere, and he moved on to brilliant fingerwork with not so much as a smudge or flub anywhere. Where there are cimbalom effects, he achieved dazzling speed with perfect clarity, and where there are quasi campanelle effects he created sonic magic. What was striking too was that there was never the showboating one sometimes finds with this repertoire, but exclusive focus on the myriad sounds. Bravo! As a postscript, speaking of not showboating, there actually could have been a bit more time in the Adagio breather a few bars before the close – mere mortals take advantage of it as a respite after herculean effort, so it feels somehow raced if not a bit broadened. Wow, if these are the biggest criticisms one can produce, Mr. Liang is in good shape.

The last work on the program was a delightful jazzy discovery, the Rondo for Piano (2001) by Catherine Likhuta (b.1981), serving almost a built-in encore. Based on an ostinato vaguely reminiscent of the Vince Guaraldi “Peanuts” theme – though more brilliant – it was lots of fun.

 Ian Hobson, piano

The Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, NY

October 20, 2023

It is always a privilege to hear the great pianist Ian Hobson, whose repertoire in concerts and discographies could be that of ten pianists, and his complete Schumann cycle at the Tenri Institute has only reinforced one’s admiration. Avoiding mere chronological box-checking, his traversal was organized into themed programs, lending focus and insight to aspects of Schumann’s output. Mr. Hobson’s April program, for example, was called “Love and Nature” (Humoreske, Op. 20, Nachtstücke, Op. 23, and the Drei Romanzen, Op. 28 – to see that review, click here: Love and Nature), and his September program just three weeks ago was called “Variations” (reviewed by Jeffrey Williams here: Variations). This Friday, October 20th, we saw the continuation of the series with a concert entitled “Marches and Etudes” and there were revelatory moments.

This week’s “Marches and Etudes” program consisted of Schumann’s Vier Märsche, Op. 76, Six Etudes after Paganini, Op. 3, Six Concert Etudes after Paganini, Op. 10, and the Toccata Op. 7. Incidentally, when one hears of a Schumann program with etudes, the Etudes Symphoniques, Op. 13 probably will spring to mind, but those had already been included in September under the heading of “Variations” where they fit as well. So, except for the very famous Toccata and the more mature Op. 76 that opened the program, this program was left with some of the least performed works of Schumann’s output, twelve etudes based on Paganini Caprices, with half of them arguably not intended for performance. It takes a brave pianist to take on such a program, but who better than Ian Hobson?

Mr. Hobson strolled out calmly to greet his ample audience at Tenri and the tone felt immediately casual, like that of a university seminar. One could easily forget the huge renown that has surrounded him ever since his young prizewinning days. One could also forget the mammoth task ahead.

He described the opening work, the Vier Märsche, Op. 76, as coming after roughly a decade of little solo piano writing for Schumann (the 1840s being filled with songs, chamber music, and orchestral works). Dating from 1849, the Op. 76 was Schumann’s response to the May Uprising of Dresden that year. As Mr. Hobson lit into the very first Märsche, one could feel the stirrings of that uprising as well as the exuberance of Schumann’s return to piano writing in a “white heat of passion” (Schumann’s own words). The boldness and heroism of Florestan were present, along with a remarkable elegance in this pianist’s hands. The second Märsch in G minor followed with power and urgency, as well as sensitivity in its gentle E-flat middle section.

The third Märsche, subtitled Lager-Scene (“Camp Scene”) possesses many of Schumann’s mercurial qualities in harmony and phrasing, and it could easily give way to self-indulgence, but the cohesion here was solid. The playing reflected what one might call an orchestral overview – and that is not surprising, given Mr. Hobson’s very busy second career as a conductor. The fourth Märsch closed the set with a grandeur that underscored its noticeable references to La Marseillaise.

Moving on to the Six Etudes after Paganini, Op. 3 (1832), this listener felt ambivalent at first. As the program notes by Richard Dyer state, Schumann “evidently intended Op. 3 for study and educational purposes only.” They could conveniently have been excised from the cycle on that basis. Furthermore, technically, we want perfection from such pianistic hurdling, though there is little that any performer in a live concert can do to match the several flawless renditions available on recordings, most likely from studios with unlimited editing capacity. What’s more, musically, they are not truly representative of Schumann, for as the composer writes, “I copied the original more or less note for note, perhaps to its disadvantage, only expanding its harmonic scope.” That said, Mr. Hobson had them well in hand, and completeness won the day. Did one occasionally wish all had not been straitjacketed into the cycle plan, and that we could hear only some artfully chosen favorites of the pianist to let his gifts shine at their best? Yes.

Highlights of Op. 3 included the first two etudes with well-known Liszt counterparts. In the first by Schumann, we heard the opening A minor scales and arpeggios of Paganini’s A minor Caprice (No. 5) actually proceeding to the rest of that same Paganini Caprice; oddly, this fidelity was a jolt, because pianists are used to the Liszt-Paganini Etude, No. 1 (composed a good six years later) with the very same opening (transposed to G minor) introducing a tacked-on version of Paganini’s Caprice, No. 6. This “un-hearing” of Liszt took us back in time, bringing us closer to Schumann’s world shortly after hearing Paganini himself in concert.

A less dramatic surprise was felt hearing Op. 3’s second Etude (after Paganini’s Caprice No. 9 – La Chasse, or “The Hunt”), after being accustomed to Liszt’s Paganini Etude No. 5 based on the same Caprice. Here, it was a special joy to hear Schumann’s version, with help from Mr. Hobson’s gentle and graceful interpretation. Equally lyrical was the third (Andante), which Mr. Hobson played with a singing tone and inevitability of phrasing. The fourth was played with all the rhythmic mischief it invites, and the fifth was a romp. The sixth and final Etude of Op. 3 was played with stormy brilliance, reminding one of the Op. 13, then yet to be written. All in all, Mr. Hobson made a case for these neglected pieces.

The Etudes, Op. 10 (1833) followed intermission. One was starting to wonder how anyone could undertake this program, but there were no signs of flagging. Using music for much of it may have removed the stress on one’s memory, but it is nevertheless unwieldy music to tackle. The first of Op. 10 was artfully shaped, such that one almost forgot about its technical difficulties. The second brought to mind again the contrast with Liszt’s eerie G-minor tremolos (from Paganini’s Caprice No. 6), here replaced partly with repeated chords over an inspired, independent left-hand part. Surprisingly, just a year after his Op. 3, Schumann was growing in some ways freer with Paganini than Liszt would be. There is little question about which composer’s Paganini Etudes were  – and are – more popular, but Mr. Hobson made it apparent that even transcribing somewhat laborious exercises, Schumann was a poet.

Mr. Hobson proceeded to No. 3 making it sound easy overall. Despite rapid alternation of octaves and trills – requiring lumberjack and ballet dancer – Mr. Hobson was up to it all. Aside from tiny glitches here and there, it was an epic undertaking, amazingly handled – all “chased down” with Schumann’s diabolically difficult Toccata Op. 7 (1829-32). Few pianists can play the latter well, but it says a lot that its heroic themes echoed in this listener’s mind long after the concert.

It takes a special kind of heroism to rummage through neglected corners of a composer’s output. First, the pianist must devote increased effort to “selling” or beautifying what has been neglected (sometimes for good reason). After that, such a performer is very seldom lauded or thanked as champions of “new music” are. Why? Well, because it is Schumann, and we all know Schumann – or do we? Surely Ian Hobson is content to explore without looking for accolades, but let me at least offer mine, with gratitude.

Australian Haydn Ensemble

Skye McIntosh, artistic director

Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY

October 16, 2023

On the evening of October 16, 2023, the Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) took an enthusiastic audience on a bit of time travel where Carnegie’s Weill Hall was transformed into an 18^th century salon (well, an 18^th century salon with electricity!) for a program of symphonies by Johann Christian Bach, Haydn (Joseph), and Mozart. 

Formed in 2012, the eighteen-member Australian Haydn Ensemble is a leader in what they call historically informed performances, specializing in late Baroque and early Classical repertoire using period instruments. The oboe, bassoon, flute and horn (valveless) sound substantially different from their modern counterparts. Love them or hate them, they do give one the authentic “sound” of the times when these works were composed and first played. 

Violinist Skye McIntosh led the conductorless ensemble, whose members played standing. I suspect this was to honor the performing style of those times, even though there is some dispute as to whether this was widespread practice. Ms. McIntosh was also a charming host, speaking with the audience to give some history about the works offered.  I would like to break with my usual convention and name all the members of this fine ensemble: Skye McIntosh, Matthew Greco, Anna McMichael, Annie Gard, Alice Richards, Ella Bennetts, Emma Williams, violins; Karina Schmitz, Kristen Linfante, violas; Daniel Yeadon, Eva Lymenstull, cellos; Pippa Macmillan, double bass; Melissa Farrow, flute; Joel Raymond, Kirsten Barry, oboes; Simon Rickard, bassoon; Michael Dixon, Dorée Dixon, horns. 

Johann Christian Bach, the “London Bach,” was highly regarded during his relatively short life, but time has not been so kind to him. His current reputation has relegated him to almost an afterthought, only meriting the faintest praise that is tantamount to “Well, he tried.” One should consider that Mozart thought highly of him (one can hear shadows of J.C. in some of his works), and that alone should give one pause to reconsider his worth. The Symphony in G minor, Op. 6, No. 6 is an impressive work, in which J.C. goes his own way in a manner we had not heard from his famous father. 

The AHE tore into the stormy first movement with a roiling intensity that caught my attention right away – this was passionate, emotionally powerful and impactful playing. The second movement had an austere quality played with simple sincerity, and the finale was dispatched with élan, complete with a surprise quiet ending that could have been written by Haydn. It was an impressive start to the evening. 

Written in 1761, Symphony No. 6 in D major (Le Matin), Symphony No. 7 in C major (Le midi), and Symphony No. 8 in G major (Le Soir), were Haydn’s fulfillment of Prince Esterházy’s suggested theme for composition: three times of day, morning, noon, and evening – hence the nicknames. These works could just as easily be classified as concerti grossi as symphonies. No. 7 was not included in tonight’s program.

Haydn had just been hired by Prince Esterházy and probably was eager to impress his new patron. The Prince’s orchestra counted some brilliant musicians, which gave Haydn the opportunity to write dazzling solo passages to show off both their virtuosity as performers and his own as a composer. It probably enhanced his working relationship with the musicians, as it was often customary for a player to be rewarded with extra pay for pleasing the Prince with brilliant playing – an early example of “paying it forward.”  These symphonies are chock full of such solos – one suspects many an extra coin filled the pockets of those musicians.  On a side note, Ms. McIntosh reminded the audience that Prince Esterházy’s orchestra also had eighteen members.

One could feel the warmth of the rising sun in the introduction before kicking into high gear.  Flute, oboe, and horn all had featured solos, with special kudos to flutist Melissa Farrow for her virtuosity. One must also give double bassist Pippa Macmillan special praise for her nimble solo work in the Trio. Ms. McIntosh and cellist Daniel Yeadon reveled in soloistic moments.  All in all, it was quite the “morning,” which could take the place of coffee to get the day going! 

Le Soir is a night with some storminess (the finale Presto, sometimes subtitled La tempesta). The opening movement quotes Gluck  – Je n’aimais pas le tabac beaucoup (I didn’t like tobacco much) – from Le diable à quatre, and once again, there were virtuosic solos (violins, cello) throughout. The finale sizzled with a tempestuous energy that was thrilling. It was notable how well these players meshed together – with such small forces one can’t “hide” behind a large section, so any gaffes are easily heard. One would have been hard pressed to find any significant issues with ensemble. 

Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201, written when the composer was eighteen years old, opened the second half. There are some who might suggest that this work needs the full forces of a larger orchestra to accentuate its grandeur. I believe that is incorrect, and the AHE validated my opinion. These eighteen musicians brought more than enough passion, power, and brilliance to their sparkling performance. It was the highlight of the evening for this listener. 

After the last notes were played the audience was returned to the 21^st century and rewarded this fine ensemble with an extended standing ovation.  For all lovers of period instruments and the music of this epoch played by superior musicians, the Australian Haydn Ensemble is not to be missed. 

Music of Elliott Carter, Louis Karchin, and Tyson David

Da Capo Chamber Players: Curtis Macomber, violin; 

Chris Gross, cello: Marianne Gythfeldt clarinet   Steven Beck piano

Guest artists: Catherine Boyack, flute (Patricia Spencer is on leave 2023-24); 

John Ferrari, percussion; James Baker, conductor

The Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, NY

October 15, 2023

In a Tenri Cultural Institute concert billed as celebrating “innovation by three generations of American composers,” the Da Capo Chamber Players continued what they have done exceptionally well for decades: the thoughtful curation and expert performance of new music. Here they featured just one composer from each of the three generations, and the three were Elliott Carter (1908-2012), Louis Karchin (b. 1951), and Tyson Davis (b. 2000). 

The first half of the concert offered a sampling of all three composers, starting with Between Light and Shadow by Tyson Davis, now in his first year of the M.M. program at the Juilliard School (but who was just seventeen when the piece was written in 2018). Between Light and Shadow was scored for Pierrot ensemble (exactly what the Da Capo nucleus is) plus percussion – handled expertly here by John Ferrari. The work was inspired by The Twilight Zone television series and consists of four movements named from individual episodes (Third from the Sun, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, Mirror Image, and The Arrival). The absence of pretense in basing a substantial work on a television program “had me at hello” as the saying goes, but it was the skillful and evocative writing that sealed the deal. The music was powerful, direct, and individual. Mr. Davis is no mere “star of the moment” (despite being booked with commissions through 2025) but is a genuine voice of great promise in the composition world. As Mr. Davis mentioned later in the panel discussion, he is not a synesthete, but he feels strong links between the visual and tonal worlds; in retrospect, it may have been this quality, plus his technique for projecting it, that gave this work such immediate appeal. 

In strong contrast came the program’s second work, Con leggerezza pensosa (1990), by Elliott Carter, who combined a long and productive composing life with the teaching of several generations of composers at Juilliard and elsewhere. 

Con leggerezza pensosa was commissioned by Dr. Rafaelle Pozzi in homage to the Italian author Italo Calvino, and its title suggests Calvino’s notion of “thoughtful lightness” as distinct from the “lightness of frivolity” (“In fact,” Calvino continues, “thoughtful lightness can make frivolity seem dull and heavy.”)  With thoughts of this elusive distinction never far, the work was given an engrossing performance by Marianne Gythfeldt (clarinet), Curtis Macomber (violin), and Chris Gross (cello) – with the author’s case resting most pithily in the final disappearing clarinet gesture, with faint pizzicati.

The third and last piece of the half was a work composed for the Da Capo Chamber Players, Incantations and Dances (2023) by Louis Karchin, currently a Professor of Music at New York University, among his many distinctions. It was a joy, after the cryptic complexity of the Carter piece, to hear a work that, for all its brilliance and sophistication, was immediately accessible, with clearly discernible dance references (the characteristics of a minuet, a hoedown, and pavane, for example). There was not a dull moment, and the Da Capo ensemble with percussionist John Ferrari achieved split-second timing under the leadership of conductor James Baker. Pianist Steven Beck was remarkable here and throughout the evening for his almost surgical precision. One could hardly imagine finding a better performance of this work. It was another feather in the cap of Da Capo to feature this very worthy, though perhaps underrepresented, composer.

After intermission, Mr. Karchin and Mr. Davis were joined by Elliott Carter scholar John Link and conductor James Baker in a panel discussion, and the rest of the program was music by Elliott Carter, with performances of his Enchanted Preludes (1988), and Triple Duo (1982-3). Not surprisingly the panel discussion touched on the influence on the two composers present of Elliott Carter, the senior member of the evening’s triumvirate – and there would have been enough material there to justify calling the entire evening a Carter-fest if Mr. Karchin and Mr. Davis had not offered such engagingly individual works of their own. There were recollections about Carter’s personality, about the composers’ first exposures to his music, and about his overall influence (regardless of whether it affected this evening’s works specifically). There seemed some consensus about Carter’s de-emphasis of downbeats, his music’s overall fluidity (which Mr. Davis noted especially), and the interest in metric modulation. There was in addition the mention of his every note possessing character, a quality which the superb Da Capo players brought out extremely well. The discussion became particularly fascinating in response to the question of how each composer composes – whether from an initial extra-musical idea, from small to large, large to small, from a desired proportion, or creating a figurative “scaffolding” – but sadly a report of these details goes beyond the scope of this review. The interested reader must simply attend the next Da Capo event. 

Carter’s Enchanted Preludes (1988) found flutist Catherine Boyack and cellist Chris Gross in an outstanding pairing, colored with wonderful flutter-tongue sounds from Ms. Boyack and compelling colors from Mr. Gross. 

The only work that was difficult to enjoy, despite its virtuosic performance, was Carter’s Triple Duple, which closed the program. Once again the acoustics of the Tenri Institute made the volume and tone quality in higher registers actually painful. Certainly there were all the tonal colors and individual articulations that give Carter’s music its “flavors” – but in this case (extending a food-music comparison started in the panel discussion) one’s musical “taste buds” had been obliterated by the musical equivalent of a pepper topping the Scoville scale. One kept trying to savor it, thinking “If only I could really taste this.” There were of course many moments for savoring between these strident sounds, but it was hard to unclench after them.

This listener will still eagerly await the next Da Capo concerts, and for more information, the reader can visit: Da Capo Chamber Players

Qianci Liu, cello

New York International Symphony Orchestra, Elias Miller, conductor

Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY

October 15, 2023

Zankel Hall was the venue for a concert entitled Wandering Melody: Qianci Liu and Friends on October 15. 2023. Presented by the Paulus Hook Music Foundation , of which Qianci Liu is the founder and executive director, works by Chinese composers, composers of Chinese heritage, a Chinese “themed” work by a non-Chinese composer, and a Filipino-themed work formed the program. 

Ms. Liu has many very talented friends – there were sixteen biographies (including Ms. Liu’s) in the promotional materials, far too many to give any one of them any special attention without this review turning into a voluminous book report. I will list them by name here: Qianci Liu, Wei Luo, Zhen Chen, Michael Dadap, Kayden Hansong, Weixiong Wang, Elias Miller, Yang Xu, Hong-Yu Hsien, Fang-Tao Jiang, Ricky Feng Nan, Andrew Hansong, Sherry Li, Yi Ru, Jacky Xu, and Shiqi Luo.

Similarly, with nineteen listed works, it is also beyond the scope of this review to comment about each work.  I will limit myself to commenting on highlights of each composer.  The works naturally tended include the cello (except for one piano solo work), with Qianci Liu being the cellist in ensembles including various combinations of piano, guitar, clarinet, vibraphone, handpan, a cello ensemble, and – after intermission – the New York International Symphony Orchestra. A large undertaking, this concert reflected an impressive level of dedication and organization, especially towards the nurturing and featuring young musicians.

This was not a conventional concert by most listeners’ standards (mine included). If one would enjoy nearly three hours of music that was unmistakably similar in style and conception, this would have been a delight from start to finish. Let there be no misunderstanding: the playing was excellent and some compositions projected poignant beauty, but work after work filled with nostalgic yearning, sorrow, and regret, in what could be best described as a “New Age soundtrack” style, grew wearing to this listener. The “spontaneous” addition of two works just prior to the final piece, announced as a “gift,” after two-and-a-half hours was surprisingly clumsy and heavy-handed. 

Let’s give Ms. Liu her kudos – her cello tone was warm and ideally suited for the selected works. There were no pyrotechnics, histrionics, or other affectations, just complete devotion to the music. This is a quality that I much value in a performer, and regardless of my feelings about the works themselves, she has my admiration. As for Ms. Liu as a composer, I point to two highlights. First, Lily, To Mom, as played by Ms. Liu with nineteen of her students of all ages, from the young boy with the 1/8 sized cello all the way to adult, was enchanting – not so much from the musical standpoint, but from seeing the joy they projected. Second, Candy, the jazz-infused romp with the wailing clarinet of Weixiong Wang, might have been my favorite of the evening, possibly because it was the only piece that broke out of the formulaic shell that surrounded the program. 

The New York International Symphony Orchestra, as led by conductor Elias Miller, was outstanding. Special mention to the (unnamed) trumpet player who managed his often high-register playing without overwhelming the orchestra and while maintaining good intonation – it’s not easy!

On to the other featured composers. Kimball Gallagher’s Aranya Prelude had an improvisatory feel in the hands of young pianist Hong-Yu Hsien. Though a slight hesitancy suggested a case of nerves, this player shows promise of achievements yet to come. Zhen Chen’s Jade had shimmering qualities that offered promise of breaking out of the sameness of most the other works without completely escaping. Michael Dadap’s Cavatina in E minor showed a deep, brooding quality. Unfortunately, much of that effect was marred by the feedback of a misbehaving amplifier, which loudly announced its presence several times. Sixteen-year-old Kayden Hansong’s Beyond Paradise followed, displaying a maturity far beyond this composer’s years. One looks forward to seeing what the future holds for this young man. 

Wei Luo created the lion’s share of works on the program. Reading his biography, one learns of his extensive work as a soundtrack/television composer. There is little doubt of his ability in these forms, but I would have liked to have heard at least one of his works that had some differentiation. Yes, they were “easy on the ears,” but without hearing them in context (i.e., with the television show they came from) it all sounded a bit too much as if came from the same blueprint.  Estranged had a Chopinesque quality that had moments of an unsettled feeling that most of his other works were lacking. His “Wait for Me” Suite: The Years & I Need to Find You was a showstopper – with twenty-three young singers in front of the stage, and three outstanding vocal soloists on stage, Fang-Tao Jiang, Ricky Feng Nan, Andrew Hansong. I still had enough “gas in the tank” to enjoy the emotionally charged performance that elicited the loud approval of the audience. Wei Luo’s Lullaby should have then sent everyone home on a peaceful note, but this was thwarted by an hawkward post-concert “announcement” verbally beckoning the artists back to the stage for more. 

Ian Hobson, piano

The Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, NY

September 29, 2023

On a day of flooding that brought New York to a standstill, Ian Hobson showed us all once again what his staying power can do. Though government alerts cautioned residents to stay home, there was a healthy crowd of music lovers eager to hear yet another chapter in Mr. Hobson’s complete cycle of Schumann’s piano music, and they were handsomely rewarded.

From the first gentle notes of the Variations on a theme of Chopin, Anh. F26 (based on Chopin’s G minor Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 3) right through to the triumphant finale of the Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13, we were treated to the kind of musicianship in which all is thoroughly conceived, each phrase well-considered, and each tone well-prepared. The program itself was also dream in its perfect balance between the grandeur of the more “tried and true” (i.e., the Op. 13) and relatively little-known works such as the abovementioned Chopin Variations, as well as the Variations on a theme of Beethoven, WoO 31 (on the Allegretto from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7), which opened the second half.  The program was filled out by the Abegg Variations, Op. 1 and Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Wieck, Op. 5, both known but somewhat underplayed as well.

Though this listener is not always a fan of complete cycles in concert, one of the great advantages of them is hearing some largely overlooked works and exploring how they illuminate the rest of a composer’s oeuvre. One insight that emerged throughout this program was the importance of Chopin to Schumann. The opening of Variations on a theme of Chopin served to underscore this Chopinesque thread. While many are familiar with Schumann’s praise of Chopin, including his famous, “Hats off, gentlemen, a genius!” –  as well as the inclusion of a Chopin movement in his Carnaval and the dedication of his Kreisleriana to Chopin – there is no clearer illustration of Schumann’s regard than his own treatment of Chopin’s work. This evening’s program led one to contemplate this aspect more and more, even in the five posthumous Etudes to the Op. 13, which Mr. Hobson himself described as “Chopinesque” in his spoken introduction. Along with the ever-present Florestan and Eusebius, there emerged the character, Chopin. Incidentally, I’ve seldom felt that these five etudes “worked” with the rest of this great piece (with all due respect to Brahms, whose publication reinstated them), but here, folded in between the tenth and eleventh Etudes, and in the context of the Chopin influence, I almost became a believer. Mr. Hobson’s performances were assured and persuasive, as one has come to expect, from his many decades of performing and his wide-ranging discography.

Time will tell whether Schumann’s variations on Chopin and Beethoven will enter the “mainstream” repertoire, as the Chopin set was only published in 1981, and the Beethoven set in 1974 – both have interpretive challenges.  The Beethoven set contains fifteen variations, and not all were completed, so Mr. Hobson chose ten and arranged them in his preferred order. There is some unevenness in the quality of the variations themselves – and many might categorize them as mere academic curiosities – but Mr. Hobson made a compelling case for them, as he did with the Chopin set. He pulled off both sets with confident artistry, for which he deserves our admiration and gratitude.

The Abegg Variations, though certainly ensconced in the mainstream piano literature, are still underrepresented in favor of more accessible triumphs, so it was a joy to see them on this program. Mr. Hobson brought out their grace, charm, and pianistic pearls, again with many Chopinesque moments. The Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Wieck, Op. 5 followed them in an eye-opening performance of brilliance and sensitivity. With a title reflecting thoughts not just of Schumann’s beloved Clara but also the memory of Schubert (as suggested by Richard Dyer in his excellent program notes), these pieces hold treasures too often overlooked. Mr. Hobson’s playing offered much needed advocacy.

The evening was capped off with the great Symphonic Etudes, and here we had the bold and powerful performance one would expect from this important pianist. Despite the program’s surfeit of riches, one wanted to hear more. Luckily for music lovers, there is more. This monumental series continues with several more concerts, the next being October 20, 2023, also at Tenri Cultural Institute.

Kariné Poghosyan, pianist; Jason Tramm, conductor; 

The MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, New York, NY

September 20, 2023

It was a joy this week to accept an assignment to review an evening of concerti for several reasons – one being the piano soloist Kariné Poghosyan, whom I had reviewed favorably for New York Concert Review in 2009 (at the much-missed Steinway Hall on 57th Street) and whose passionate playing has since attracted admirers globally. Another enticement was the program itself, honoring composer anniversaries of Sergei Rachmaninoff (150th) and Aram Khachaturian (120th). The conductor Jason Tramm was yet another draw, having impressed on several occasions as an orchestral Pied Piper – and this would be your reviewer’s first time hearing him lead a group called the MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra. Not least of all, this concert offered the chance to explore a magnificent building, the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, which dominates an entire block of Second Avenue at 34th Street.

It is important to state right away that this occasion was no ordinary concert. Not only was the event marking the 32nd Anniversary of Armenian Independence, but it happened to take place the day after particularly severe losses to the Armenian community from attacks on the disputed Artsakh region, a tragedy so devastating that the organizers had considered canceling the concert in the wake of it all, according to the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan in his introductory words; music won, however, as the unifying and healing force that it is, and we learned later that all concert proceeds would go to affected families in Artsakh.

Even the most curmudgeonly critic would want to avoid the usual dissection of performances under these circumstances, as the collective grief of the Armenian community seems to overshadow all else. What becomes paramount at such times is the spirit, and there was plenty of that. 

Especially spirited was the Khachaturian Piano Concerto in D-flat major, given a fiery and athletic ride by Ms. Poghosyan. This was the part of the program that one would stash away in one’s memory. Though the work has an impressive discography of champions including Moura Lympany, William Kapell, Alicia de Larrocha, Marc-André Hamelin, and a few dozen others, Ms. Poghosyan’s performance here had a unique vibrancy – partly of course because it was live and partly because of the occasion. Her own Armenian heritage embraced Khachaturian’s in a performance of fierce energy, pride, and affirmation. She has a strong bond with this composer, as also evidenced in her important recording of his work for Naxos, and here she brought his music to life with confident pianism and strong projection of its phrases and moods. 

On a largely visual note, Ms. Poghosyan has become known for her demonstrativeness in physical movements at the keyboard, a quality that is controversial among pianists, with this reviewer finding both pros and cons depending on what naturally supports the music. Though some of her movements could be thought to be unnecessary or distracting, it seems that through them she helped illustrate the emotional journey of the music better than captions ever could have for some of her less experienced listeners – an advantage here especially, given the rather indistinct sound in this reverberant space.  Beyond that, some of the full-body thrusts seemed designed to help the Khachaturian’s percussive attacks overcome the rather dull sound of the church piano – though it seemed overall that there was little one could do to change that. The challenge was to pierce through the orchestra’s overwhelming power as well as the church’s reverberant wash – and though that was a tall order, her gestures might have at least helped the synchronizing, had everyone been attentive.

The Khachaturian’s deeply soulful central movement was a highlight, with the welcome appearance of that rarely heard instrument, the flexatone (often replaced in concert by similar but more readily available instruments). A very young Mason Tramm contributed his efforts here admirably, supported by the strings. For those unfamiliar with the flexatone, it is akin to the musical saw in its eerie bending of pitch, and it has a percussive element as well. Its sound is perfect for this composer’s slower doleful lines, and alongside Ms. Poghosyan’s clear and expressive playing, there was some memorable music-making.

Also notable throughout the work were the bass clarinet lines, ennobled by the strong, pure sound of Timothy Hanley.  The orchestra seemed to gain confidence and polish along the way, and Ms. Poghosyan shone especially brightly in the impassioned finale. The audience roared its approval as the beaming pianist and conductor shared bows and fist pumps – Ms. Poghosyan with noticeable Armenian flag colors on her right wrist. That was the “takeaway image” for this concert.

Among elements one may choose not to take away, but which need to be mentioned as a matter of course would be the rest of the program preceding the Khachaturian. Close to twenty minutes past the designated start time of 8 pm, we finally heard the opening piano harmonies of Rachmaninoff’s glorious and ever-popular Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor. It is a piece that would be more than enough for one evening for most pianists (Yuja Wang’s marathons notwithstanding), but unfortunately on this occasion it felt more like a mere appetizer for the Khachaturian. 

Despite Ms. Poghosyan’s physical exertions, including mini-launches off the bench with several of the opening chords, the muffled piano and garbled acoustics got the better of everyone. One also couldn’t help getting the sense – perhaps through some rubati that felt unsettled rather than natural – that this was not where the pianist’s heart truly dwelt. As the orchestra entered, they revealed a similar ambivalence. Rough patches seemed to suggest insufficient rehearsal time, and tempo discrepancies threatened to send the piece off the rails. These moments may be what led the pianist to be even more physically demonstrative in the attempt to corral some rogue orchestral personnel, but unfortunately, without a sufficiently compelling sound to match the visual, there were sections of chaos, scrambling, and blurring. Efforts to shoehorn cues into rapid fingerwork or wait midflight should rarely be necessary, but some of those were oddly impressive to anyone knowing the work’s challenges.

Why these issues beset the Rachmaninoff so much more than the Khachaturian is something of a mystery, but it is possible that the latter, being less well-known, had elicited more careful rehearsal. One might assume that orchestra players would know the Rachmaninoff almost well enough to play it without a conductor – after all, my pew neighbor was singing along with it (audiences, please do not do this!); alas, however, the piece still demands and deserves maximum effort.

After such stressful moments in the Rachmaninoff, many pianists would want to collapse, but – make no mistake – Kariné Poghosyan is a force.  She had stood out fourteen years ago as having “a passionate musicality that transcends repertoire issues, ‘off’ nights, and a host of other challenges…” (New York Concert Review, vol. 16, no. 3, 2009), and in some ways, this concert validated that comment. Given the rather “off” start to the evening, her rebound into the Khachaturian (after barely a two-minute break) was mind-boggling. Her finish was triumphant. Brava!