Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Yoan Ganev: Duo Recital

For the second time in this competition, Mily Balakirev's Islamey Fantasie Orientale made an appearance on the Sub Rosa stage. This time it was played by Yoan Ganev, who interpreted the piece using a hard, forceful sound. Balakirev's work looks extremely demanding from the audience, incorporating furious chords with all sorts of left-over-right-hand crossovers, but Ganev pulled it off without problems. His hands moved so fast, and the piece went so quickly, it reminded me of watching a strobe light. I don't know that I've ever seen anyone be that dextrous. Ganev made good use of the piano's pedals as well, adding an extra dimension to his sound.

After the Balakirev, Ganev brought violinist Tim Klabunde on stage to perform Beethoven's Sonata for Violin and Piano in C Minor, another piece that was familiar by this time. Ganev took the lead in the piece with a loud, commanding sound that sounded a bit sharper than previous versions of the piece. Later on, he became much softer and more subdued, but still retained a commanding edge.
Before Ganev's final piece, Chopin's Concerto No. 2, he spoke about the "commonly known" origin of the piece, and how it "projects to the audience's feelings of anger and jealousy". Playing with Jeannie Yu, Ganev showed off a forceful opening to the piece that was heavy on the pedal. He was fast and skillful with the long, complex passages of the piece, including a few really breathtaking ones near the end.

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