risknfun's blog

Garrick Ohlsson, Piano
All-Beethoven Program, Part I

Sun, January 28, 2007 2:00pm
Alice Tully Hall, Broadway at 65th st.
(Side: Left, Tier: Orch, Door: U-Z, Row: X, Seat 107)

Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 ("Pathetique")
Sonata No. 11 in B-flat major, Op. 22
Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10, No. 2
Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 ("Appassionata")
Encore: Nocturne, Chopin

Before the beginning of the 2006-7 season, my friend majoring piano at Eastman recommended me only three classical music concerts at Lincoln Center: Garrick Ohlsson 1/28, Murray Perahia 3/25 and Midori 4/24.

Since I've only heard the name of Midori and I was not so interested about her recital, I didn't buy any tickets of Lincoln Center concerts. However, I just barely escape making a big mistake.

Ohlsson performed four Beethoven piano sonatas including No. 8, 6 and 23 which were accustomed even for me. It seemed that he had his own distinctive style, moreover, I felt his styles of each sonata were slightly different. He smoothly but sometimes fiercely changed playing paces especially in No. 8.

Because he didn't make any movement in his body but only mechanical-ish-ly touch keys, his playing reminded me a robot in a movie, 'Ghost in the shell', I mean that he looked like a robot of playing a piano. That might be my lack of knowledge and sensitivity of music.

While I was searching about today's recital, I found that the Lincoln Center have started a subscription ticket selling of 2007-8 season concert. I'm interested in Virtuoso Recitals in that a recital of Marc-André Hamelin. Hamelin's concert in Seoul several years ago was absolutely awesome so that I can't imagine I'm not attending the performance. But I'm not sure a pre-purchasing is a better choice rather than a student rush ticket which is usually a half price.

Anyway, I'm considering to go Ohlsson's concert on Feb 25th and Apr 1st.

Music Review by New York Times

@ A praise by the Boston Globe: "Extraordinary in force, momentum, and in detail."