Just another dimension?

Sunday, February 15, 2009
Jie Chen Piano Recital -vvz

It's been two years since the last time I attended a piano recital and the inspiration effect from that outing was starting to wear off. Fortunately, the Esplanade has arranged another piano recital in this year's Huayi Festival.

I thought Jiangzheng could use some exposure to piano performances of international standards, so I got him to go as well. By the 2nd movement of the first piece, he was already dozing off. Maybe it was a bad idea to start the recital with Hadyn.

Overall, Chen Jie managed to live up to the hype generated by the concert synopsis. Her technique was good and her interpretation colourful. I especially liked the Chinese folk tunes.

百鸟朝凤 left a strong impression. It really sounded like there were hundreds of birds. Jiangzheng preferred the original suona version. I guess if you expect the piano to sound like a lyrical instrument, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Lucky for me, I don't quite remember what the suona version sounded like (although I'm sure it wouldn't be any less challenging for the musician).

The encore piece was 平湖秋月 (appropriate, since the next day was 元宵节). It filled me with a sense of tranquility (and somehow, déjà vu too); I could still hear the last few notes in my head long after the show has ended.

Being the cheap-thrill seeker that I am, I got her autograph on the CD I bought. Too bad she signed it in English. Her Chinese signature looks nicer. Must've been the greedy auntie in front who tired her out with a thick stack of programme booklets to sign.

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Yiheng made 10:19 PM

1 Comments:

The first piece was rather to chin for me to understand but was a great piano performance.
By Anonymous, at 9:29 AM




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