Studio of Leah Brammer: Andras Schiff concert review

Monday, October 13, 2008

Andras Schiff concert review

Welcome to my blog!

Andras Schiff creates his legacy and brings Beethoven to life.

Last year Andras Schiff embarked on the project of performing all of Beethovens 32 Piano Sonatas in a series of 8 concerts over a 2 year period. So far I have seen all 5 of the concerts he has done, with 3 remaining.

The most striking feature of the concerts is their clarity of expression. No doubt Schiff's expertise in playing Bach comes into play as every note has a horiontal line as well as vertical placement. Because of this transparency in the texture, the true Beethoven jumps out.

Last nights performance included the Sonatas 16 in G major, Op. 31#1, Sonata no. 17 in dminor, Op. 31#2, Sonata no. 18 in E-b flat major, op. 31#3, and after the intermission the Sonata no. 21 in C major, Op. 53 (Waldstein), and an encore performing Bach's Italian Concerto.

The Sonata #16 with it's major key and lightness was the perfect opener. The Tempest followed with all three movements blending together in one kind of sound/tone which was still clear, but decidely more distant and introspective. The third movement of the Tempest is one of my favorite pieces, and one I have been practicing lately. Naturally therefore I have stronger ideas about interpretation. The opening motive begins on the upbeat and ends on the first beat.He played the first beat with an up motion and sound which made the piece sound weak and lacked the rhythmic continuity that is crucial for this piece. He seemed most comfortable in the Sonata #18, and the audience went to intermission very up.

After intermission, I felt him become tired on the Waldstein-an incredibly difficult piece to sustain. It was apparent in the amount of sound he was making as he still managed the clarity. The Italian Concerto seemed a piece of cake for him. So much so that he blew through the second movement even improvising some of the RH as if he had spaced out. Not to matter though the third movement was the best I have ever heard by anyone - even Glen.

It is such a great lifetime opportunity to hear a pianist performing on this level.
The sound stays inside you a long time. I practiced as soon as I got home!
Leah Brammer

1 comment:

Ron LongOctober 13, 2008 at 4:39 PM
You should write reviews for the SF Chronicle
Nice review
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