JWR Articles: Live Event - Début Concert (Featured performer: Benjamin Moser) - September 3, 2010
Google
--%>

Début Concert

3.5 3.5

It’s only a matter of time and tone

Benjamin Moser’s noontime début recital provided a detailed look at the young pianist’s “work-in-progress” status.

He already brings the vital ability of being able to draw in an audience of varying ages to repertoire that is universally familiar (the pair of Chopin Waltzes that began the closing set brought smiles all around and just needed more consistent ring in their respective “B” sections to move up from delightful to delectable) and—for many—the more esoteric masterpieces from Debussy (Estampes) and Ravel (Gaspard de la Nuit).

With thousands of notes to traverse employing virtually everything on the keyboard (magically “wiping” the keys with liquid tone in “Ondine”), Moser’s attention never wavered when the inevitable miss-hits momentarily jarred the ear, letting them vanish from the canvas like uninvited guests at a family gathering who never got past the door.

Seeing the complete structure paid huge dividends along the entire journey of Estampes. “Pagodes” was ever-so gently laid out with many memorable pages of supple, always moving forward lines and accompaniments. “Soirée dans Grenade” was a model of control followed by a deceptive ease-of-delivery in “Jardins sous La Plouie” that featured beguiling, child-like simplicity when required in the statements.

Especially effective in both conception and presentation was the mid-range single-tone pedal that rightly provided “Le Gibet” with the requisite hypnotic effect which, along with the closing, tolling bell, made this movement the highlight of Gaspard.

The A-flat Major Polonaise-Fantasie was also planned to ensure that the music grew organically rather than section by section. After the flurry of trills signalled yet another change of place, Moser’s reading became more personal, beautifully at one with the swirl of emotions that are at the root of every phrase.

Once this accomplished pianist finds the key of consistency in the upper-register, melodic apexes (the A-Flat Major Étude seemed oddly routine after the considerable artistry displayed in the preceding Polonaise), the music will reach a higher plane still: one that will, undoubtedly, be found. JWR

Between Performances

During the festival’s 38-day run, a wide variety of non-musical activities was sampled both in Lucerne and other parts of Switzerland. Because of the excellent local and inter-city transportation system, there’s plenty to see and do within a day’s reach and still be back in time for the next performance—Cultural Tourism at its best!

Just a short walk (or take one of the many boat trips from the docks in the centre of Lucerne) is Wagner House. No trip is complete without a visit to the Richard Wagner Museum—an ideal experience before attending your next concert! JWR

Your comments are always welcome at JWR.

Click here to have your say (please mention the headline for the article):Feedback to JWR.

Featured performer - Benjamin Moser
Repertoire:
Estampes Pagodes| Soirée dans Grenade| Jardins sous la Pluie - Claude Debussy
Gaspard de la Nuit Ondine| Le Gibet| Scarbo - Maurice Ravel
Waltz in D-flat Major, Op. 64, No.1 "Minute Waltz' - Fryderyk Chopin
Waltz in C-sharp Minor, Op. 64, No.2 - Fryderyk Chopin
Étude in A-flat Major, Op. 25, No. 1 - Fryderyk Chopin
Étude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 25, No. 7 - Fryderyk Chopin
Étude in C Minor, Op. 25, No. 12 - Fryderyk Chopin
Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat Major, Op. 61 - Fryderyk Chopin
Further information, future screening/performance/exhibition dates,
purchase information, production sponsors:
Lucerne Festival The International Travel Writers Alliance
Cross-reference(s): Please click on the image link(s) below
for related work: