The concerto finals have begun
Have we spotted the winner yet?
Emma Baker 10:10am GMT 19th October 2010
Last night, the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall was packed to the rafters, the atmosphere was celebratory, the stage was crammed with orchestral players. It was the first night of the concerto finals, an evening of three E minor Concertos and one F minor. Would we hear the winner?
First to perform the E minor Concerto was 2007 Tchaikovsky competition second-prize winner Miroslav Kultyshev (no first prize awarded). He’s a brilliant pianist, technically superb, with a full, warm tone. He played everything tastefully, perfectly. But ultimately it lacked soul. So no, not the winner.
The Steinway was wheeled off and the Fazioli took its place for Daniil Trifonov. Although he was uncontrolled in the first movement of the E minor (perhaps he was nervous), in the second and third there were some lovely things happening. His playing was full of fevered imagination and if a few of his ideas were a little left-field and didn’t quite work, there were still genuinely spine-tingling moments. But sadly, not a winning performance.
Pawel Wackarecy, the lone Pole in the finals, was cheered enthusiastically by the audience. He was one of only two finalists to choose the F minor Concerto. He played lyrically but something seemed to be holding him back, as if he was full of the right intentions but couldn’t quite express himself as he would want to. Again, not the winner.
Finally, the one we’d all been waiting for: competion favourite Evgeni Bozhanov. I’d not been convinced about him in the second stage but I warmed to his third-stage performance. He clearly has great talent, ability and something to say. I awaited his E minor Concerto eagerly, but – oh, Evgeni! What were you thinking? The grandstanding was back, the histrionic gestures: he thumped the piano, he gurned. To me, it sounded like the cold corpse of Chopin pumped full of anabolic steroids. Harsh perhaps, but I really felt he let himself – and all the people rooting for him – down. My colleague on the Chopin Gazette here in Warsaw, John Allison, likened his performance to an audition for a Hollywood movie about a concert pianist. I have just one thing to add: Next!
Comments
Bravissimo! Kudos for Christopher Falzone's all-Chopin program at the Festival "Les sommets du classique". At some point, looking at him I thought Chopin was actually in front of me, playing himself. His program was awfully generous, which was little longer than 2 hours. So many superb pieces ! This was a "tour de force". All Chopin program in one night concert (exc. concerto) program statement:"Adventure ! Music is an adventure, but, at this time, it's really fascinating to think that it could be an unusual experience: drawn into Chopin's world, sharpened and imbued by sensual nature of visual Alpine tableau. Chopin's immortal genius and majesty of Crans Montana - I feel as a poetic phenomenon and a magical exhaltation in crystalline air. Would we hear a voice which cried, " Why was I not prevented from remaining in a world where I am utterly useless? What good can my existence bring to anyone? ... But wait, wait! What's this? Tears? How long it is since they flowed! How is this, seeing that an arid melancholy has held me for so long in its grip? How good it feels - and sorrowful. Sad but kindly tears! What a strange emotion! Sad but blessed. It is not good for one to be sad, and yet how pleasant it is - a strange state..." * (Chopin) Beloved pieces by Chopin have been performed by so many legendary masters and great artists, and this year we celebrate his 200th birthday. And I'm sure that there will forever be another 200 years of great interest for Chopin interpretations. Well, those who will attend my performance Saturday night, hopefully, will agree with me. Please join me for a tribute to Chopin in the miraculous Alps." Ch. Falzone
Program Highlights 200th Anniversary of the Composer’s Birth
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Four Mazurkasop.41: E minor~B major~A-flat major~C-sharp minor
in A flat major, Op 6
Polonaise-Fantasy BarcarolleBalladeSonata
Intermission
in F minor, Op.49
Fantasy Three Nocturnes:
in B minor, Op 58 No. 4, Op. 52 in F sharp major, Op 60in C-sharp minor Op. 27/1
in D-flat major Op.27/2
in C minor, Op 48/1
Polonaise Three Waltzes:
in F major, Op 34/3,
in C-sharp minor, Op. 64/2
in E-minor, Op.Postumous
Four Etudes:C major, Op 10/1
A minor, Op 25/11
C minor, Op 10/12
B minor, Op 25/10
in A flat major, Op 53Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Christopher have great talent and I hope this is not too disappointing for him not to be even taken to the Chopin Competition but I can understand that it could be since you have practiced so hard and have given your best. I heard the bravos in the audience after his performance. They loved your playing and appreciated his tremendous gifts.
With kind regards, JG
ChairmanThe European Institute