| Rick Schultz was right on the mark when he praised Leif Ove Andsnes's performance of Haydn's Sonata in C minor Hob. VX1:20, Bartok's Suite for Piano Op 14 and Debussy's Images, Book 1 last Wednesday at Walt Disney Concert Hall.The Debussy, in particular, was very impressive. As Schultz wrote in his review, Andsnes is a "superlative Debussy interpreter." However, I have to disagree with Shultz in extending this praise to the Chopin group that followed the intermission. That is not to say that all of the Chopin disappointed this listener.(I am uploading Andsnes's recording of Chopin's Etude Op 25 No 4 which is first rate.) The B major nocturne, Op 62 No 1, was beautifully performed. The Waltzes in G flat major op 70 No 1 and A flat major op 34 no 1 (an encore) were charming. The coda of the A flat waltz was played with great bravura. The let down came in some of the waltzes and especially in the two ballades. (A flat major and G minor) The A flat waltz ,op 42, is some time called the 2/4 waltz because of the interplay between the 3/4 waltz figure of the left hand and the 2/4 melody of the right hand. The listener should be able to hear this interplay. Unfortunately, Andsnes played the left hand so softly that this delightful quirkiness was not apparent. And the way he articulated the right hand only made matters worse. Put your thumb on D natural (above middle C) your second finger on E flat and your 5th on D flat. Then play these notes by quickly rotating your wrist ... |
