One of the marvellous things about living in Armidale is the procession of excellent orchestral and instrumental concerts held in town by both local and international performers. And last night added one more stunning event to the list when Konstantin Shamray, a very young and exciting Russian pianist gave a breathtaking recital at the New England Conservatorium of Music. Yes, we have such an institution along with two orchestras and an opera company - all in a town of 25,000 people - and don't forget the brass band and the pipe bands I reported last week.
His technique and command of the instrument was impressive and he chose some ferociously difficult works from across the classical spectrum:
His technique and command of the instrument was impressive and he chose some ferociously difficult works from across the classical spectrum:
- Bach's Toccatas in F# minor (BWV 910) and D major (BWV 912)
- Haydn's Sonata in B flat major (Hb XVI:18)
- Beethoven's 32 Variations in C minor (WoO 80)
- Myaskovsky's Sonata #3 (Op19)
- Rachmaninoff's Etudes-tableaux (Op 39) Nos 3 (F# minor), 5 (Eb minor), 6 (A minor) and 9 (D major)
The last two items comprised an unbelievable torrent of notes, rhythms, tones, and volumes of sound from soft the crashingly loud. Nor was there a sheet of music in sight. Everything was from memory and at least some of the time Konstantin seemed to be staring at the ceiling rather than the keyboard. Even the fare at the intermission was classy by local standards - champagne and Lindt chocolates. The applause at the end was so pronounced that we received two marvellous encores. His mannerisms and bearing caused me to reflect that here we had another Franz Liszt, though I didn't see an imperial coach pulled by 4 white horses at the front door.
Dot accompanied me to this extravaganza on the very day she returned to Armidale after nearly 10 weeks in California helping Emily through the early days of Flynn's life.
AS
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