Andre Watts, a virtuoso piano player, brought Liszt to life beautifully in an all Liszt recital last night. This was Andre Watt’s third try to perform this concert. The first two attempts were canceled because he was ill for the first date and had fallen just before the second date. But last night, Watts showed up in fine form. From quiet, moody, dark passages to loud, sunny, bright ones, Watts plays in an effortless flowing style with precise and graceful dynamic ranges and transitions. Most notably, Watts separates notes and chords even in Liszt’s busiest, fastest passages. If Andre Watts performs in your neighborhood, you should make an effort to listen to this gifted pianist. GRADE: A-
PROGRAM
Un sospiro, for piano in D flat major (Grande études de concert No. 3)
Les Jeux d’eau al la Villa d’ Este
Sonata in B minor
INTERMISSION
Bagatelle ohne Tonart
Six Grand Etudes after Paganini: No.5, La Chasse
Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F minor
Hungarian Rhapsody No.13 in A minor
Oh, we miss having a symphony. Sigh.
Diane and I try to support the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and various classical music organizations in Western New York, Patti. I’m afraid that cuts in their funding might cause them to close and we’ll NEVER get them back.
I guess we’re spoiled in New York with so many choices that we tend to miss a lot of things we’d probably go to in a smaller place, if that makes sense.
Many arts organizations have folded during the Recession, Jeff. We’re trying to support the surviving cultural organizations. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
While you were listening to Watts plays Liszt yesterday, I was at a recital of Lortie plays Chopin. Canadian pianist Louis Lortie played all 27 Chopin Etudes in one go — a killer program few pianists would dare to tackle (the recital series director said to me in an aside, “The guy’s a fucking machine!”). Extremely impressive playing, though not the most nourishing musical meal; I’d much prefer a mix of mazurkas, nocturnes & preludes.
Sounds like a recital I would have enjoyed, Art. I like Chopin more than I like Liszt. But Andre Watts played a mix of Liszt that might have appealed to you. Watts recorded two CDs of Liszt piano pieces that might find their way into my collection. I’ll have to keep an eye out for Louis Lortie. If he plays in this area, I’ll try to make it to his program.
Detroit’s situation is a travesty amd could have been avoided.
The arts are the first to be cut, Patti. Yes, poor government and incredibly bad business decisions have brought us to this abyss.
Nice concert report, George. I’d rather have seen / heard your concert than the one Art went to.
The politicians and bean counters cut culture, arts, first, it’s sadly true. Then libraries, then education. Just don’t touch the military budget (they yell)! Sigh. I see they are pushing interest-only mortgages again, by the way.
The arts in America are under attack, Rick. Most governments in Western NY have cut spending for music, museums, and other cultural institutions. We may have to go back to the “patron” system from the Middle Ages.
I prefer Chopin too, but this does sound good.
Andre Watts brought Liszt to life for me, Jeff. He played this difficult music with ease. And, when he discovered we didn’t have program notes, Watts told us little stories about each piece he was going to play. He was humorous and engaging.
I have an original copy of Andre Watts Radio interview along with the typed radio script. Very unique to have original announcer script. I also have Andre’s first recorded album ” The Exciting Debut od Andre Watts playing Liszt: Piano Concerto NO 1 with Leonard Bernstein,New York Philharmonic. Both LP albums are in excelent shape. I would like to know if anyone would be interseted in these?
I’m sure someone would be interested in these fine performances, Laurel. I’m not into vinyl, but plenty of collectors are.
I have an original copy of Andre Watts Radio interview along with the typed radio script. I also have Andre’s first recorded album ” The Exciting Debut od Andre Watts playing Liszt: Piano Concerto NO 1 with Leonard Bernstein,New York Philharmonic. Both LP albums are in excelent shape. I would like to know if anyone would be interseted in these?
Thanks George, I will try to find a collector. These really need to be with someone that would appreciate what they are. I am down sizing and no longer have a turn table. Thanks again for the respose.
Laurel, you might consider donating these valuable items to a local university and take the tax deduction. I donated 30,000 books to SUNY at Buffalo and it worked out wonderfully!