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A Concert Review
By June S. April
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THE NEWTOWN BEE, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2006
Pianist's Concert Was Even Worth
Braving A Snowy Sunday Afternoon
In its 28 years of existence, Newtown Friends of Music is proud to say
that it has never had to postpone or cancel a concert … until now.
Faced with a Nor'easter rolling through the region on Sunday 12, NfoM
board members had to make a decision about a concert that was scheduled
for 3pm that afternoon. It was finally decided to reschedule the performance
to Monday, February 13, at noon.
To look at this lovely, petite woman gives no hint of the magnitude of
power and intensity of her playing. There is no artifice; simply a bow
of acknowledgement to the audience and then Katia Skanavi is at her beloved
instrument, playing Handel, Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff with such nuances,
joy, understanding and passion that her growing fame is not at all surprising.
Opening the concert with Chaconne in G Major, HWV 435 by George Frederic
Handel, Ms Skanavi's fingers almost caressed the keys, bringing alive
a richness of musical tapestry through the tonal coloring of dynamics.
It was refreshing to hear the works of two of the Romantic composers/performers,
who were heralded in their day, Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. The flow
of melodic lines and the challenging passages that defined the works of
these geniuses were clearly translated by Ms Skanavi's technical mastery
and understanding of these exquisitely beautiful, yet difficult works.
The second half of the program was filled by the exciting and demanding
music of Russian composer Serge Rachmaninoff. The nine studies, Etudes
tableaux, Opus 39, ranged from the aggressive Allegro Agitato in C minor
to the eloquent Allegro in A minor. It's clear that this talented artist
does not shrink from massive music works, but relishes the opportunities
the present.
Mostly known throughout Asia and Europe, her five compact disks (recorded
in France) bring to connoisseurs in this country another pianist who has
great insights into interpreting Schumann, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. The
enthusiastic reviews of her recordings bear witness to a talent that will
only grow with the years. Live performances have critics using superlatives
in describing Ms Skanavi's artistry.
The audience's shouts of bravo brought her back for one of Chopin's sparkling
Mazurkas and an even more delicious ending to what was a very wonderful
Monday afternoon concert.
Even with three young children, this award-winning pianist holds to a
busy international schedule. That the Newtown Friends of Music were able
to bring her to Edmond Town Hall reflects on their skills and excellent
choices.
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