La Nación, Argentina

Sunday June 21, 2009

 

Artistic Virtuosity and Authority

Stirring performance by Joshua Bell, violin, and Frederic Chiu, piano

Juan Carlos Montero

Our Opinion: Excellent

 

When given the privilege to hear a program of works of quality, offered by interpreters who humbly serve the wonderful role of being at the service of the composers, the aural pleasure comes from the subtle evidence of the evolution and distinctive features of each of the historic periods. In this case, Joshua Bell and Frederic Chiu achieved that goal with poignant strength.

 

Thus the aesthetic differences between Beethoven and Brahms – the first seeking a new balance between piano and violin that broke the mold set in the Baroque and creating a romantic vision for the nineteenth century, and the Hamburg composer who envisioned a future reigning in the German Romanticism of his time – could be appreciated in a marvelous way.

 

Similarly, the second part of the program invited a comparison between two composers from Liege, César Franck and Eugene Ysaye, who were not only virtuosos of their instruments, organ and violin, but also superlative teachers, mentors to a generation of musicians in France.

 

In reference to the devilish Sonata for violin solo Ysaye, one must mention that Bell’s version was of overwhelming clarity, fully demonstrating the artist’s mastery of the bow and his impeccably clear articulation, and in this case the violin’s lines, even without the help of the piano, transformed into a miniature orchestra. Added to these virtues were a great beauty and captivating sound, beyond the usual stature of the instrument.

 

In addition to the richness and quality of the program, the excellence of the concert also depended on how the works were constructed during their presentation. And in this sense, the idea of being excellent, impeccable, perfect or masterful seem incomplete, as they refer to the technical fluency and mastery of the violin and the piano. In addition to the natural talents of Bell and Chiu, one must add more transcendent ideas; the spiritual communion, the expressive sensitivity and the aesthetic vision that exists between the two of them.

 

It is comforting to note that the writer responsible for signing a review of the duo’s last visit, and with a similar degree of enthusiasm affirmed having listened to one of the most remarkable violinists of the West, and that his name would endure as a synonym for virtuosic and artistic authority. Now we add that this judgment should apply to both members of the duo, because the pianist Frederic Chiu places it among the most brilliant and serious pianists of our time, in the field of chamber music.

 

Juan Carlos Montero

 

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1141500