Young Israeli pianist to perform with KSO

Pianist Benjamin Hochman performs with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Thursday and Friday.

Pianist Benjamin Hochman performs with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Thursday and Friday.

It isn't often that young musicians get to play music written by even younger composers, especially major orchestral works.

But when 29-year-old pianist Benjamin Hochman performs with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, he will be playing Felix Mendelssohn's "Piano concert No. 1 in G Minor," Op. 25, written in 1831 when Mendelssohn was only 22.

"I love Mendelssohn, in general," Hochman said during a telephone conversation while on his way to catch a plane.

"He was one of the most amazing prodigies, certainly the only one equal to, maybe even surpassing, Mozart," Hochman said.

Written during a period when Mendelssohn was absorbed in studying the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose work had largely been forgotten, Hochman sees influences of Bach in the G minor concerto.

"I think Bach is always present in Mendelssohn's music," he said. "The transparency and counterpoint that is underneath the virtuosity is certainly reflective of Bach."

Written in three continuous movements that are played without pause, in some ways the "Piano Concerto in G Minor" is also reflective of Mendelssohn's life.

Born into a wealthy family, Mendelssohn began studying music at an early age and never took a break. It is likely the overwork and exhaustion from meeting the demands for new music led to his untimely death at age 38.

That sense of busyness shows up in the G Minor. Unlike many concertos, which have long introductions before the soloist begins, in the G Minor, the orchestra barely gets started when the piano jumps right in.

"I think the piano and the orchestra are equal partners in this concerto," Hochman said. "It's very much the interaction between the two that makes the music so exciting.

"The opening movement is very dramatic, and the second movement is heartfelt," he said. "Then in the third movement, Mendelssohn puts everything together."

Born in Israel, Hochman came to the U.S. to study at the Curtis Institute when he was only 17. He has been busy ever since, going on the road almost every week.

"I feel very fortunate to have work," he said. "I enjoy the variety of projects I do. I like playing recitals and chamber music, but I especially enjoy collaborating with orchestras. I'm really looking forward to coming to Knoxville because I've heard that the orchestra is very good."

Also on this week's concerts are Joseph Haydn's "Symphony No. 16 in B flat Major," Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkalalier Suite," and "Prelude to Tristan und Isolde," by Richard Wagner, who despised Mendelssohn and belittled his music.

Audiences will get to judge for themselves.

Harold Duckett is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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