Chopin’s piano concerts, long criticized as little more than a solo piano with a little-used orchestral back-up band, manage to stay in the mainstream of piano concertos because of the sheer force of the piano writing alone.
That is, until Thursday night at the Tennessee Theatre when one heard the interpretation of pianist Orli Shaham, who, along with Knoxville Symphony Orchestra conductor Lucas Richman and the KSO, presented Chopin’s “Concerto No. 2 in F Minor for Piano and Orchestra,” Op 21 with such poetic beauty it was a genuine revelation.
Instead of a poorly utilized orchestra that got its turn only then the pianist needed a breather, Richman layered subtle textures and harmonies beneath Shaham’s sensitively and beautifully executed passes.
The Larghetto, second movement, practically sung by the piano, was wistful and flowed with nostalgic beauty.
It was Chopin at his poetic best.
But it was not the only gorgeous music making of a very well-played concert.
The “Suite” from Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake,” featured several beautifully played solos, beginning with Phylis Secrist lovely oboe playing that opens the first section and sets the tone for the whole ballet.
The “Danse des cygnes” was an equally beautifully harp solo by Cindy Hicks.
In the fourth section, “Scene,” Joseph Meyer, the second of the concertmaster candidates, played with violin solo with expressive sadness.
When Meyer first came on stage, he had an unassuming, almost recessive presence that did not communicate the position of an orchestra’s second in command.
But that completely changed when he began to play. The movement of his body was as much a part of his musical language as was his violin.
Should he win the position of Concertmaster, one might hope that he could transform the KSO from an ensemble of statuary with instruments to one that is as visually expressive as they playing is a pleasure to hear.
Also deserving of mention in the Tchaikovsky piece was the playing of cellist Andy Bryenton and principal trumpet, Cathy Leach.
Collectively, the orchestra certainly deserved the roars of bravo, which the KSO rewarded with more gorgeous ensemble playing in Franz Liszt’s “Les Preludes,” S. 97.
Harold Duckett is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.
© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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