Okay - here's my report. FABULOUS!!!! This guy is WAY COOL! I was on the edge of my seat. The program was:
Bela Bartok - Dance Suite - six movements. Didn't thrill me - I think Bartok is an acquired taste. I'm looking for the BIG piano!
Brief break - here comes the BIG PIANO!
I'm in the second row in the orchestra pit so if the piano falls off I'm probably going to get crushed. Unfortunately, I'm just far enough off center to the right so I can't see his hands, but I can see his arms.
Markus Groh comes on - Very handsome, long pony tail about 35 years old. He's German. I posted a link with his credentials above.
He played:
Franz Liszt: Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major for Piano. What can I say? It was amazing. There was a trill that went on for about 2 minutes. I could see the tendons in his arm working through his suit jacket arm! Of course it's all from memory. My husband was fascinated by his pedalling. He said, "Man he really whacks away on that thing!"
Spontaneous standing ovation: I only believe in spontaneous ones. I hate gratuitous ones - or spotty ones.
Intermission - Went up and checked out the piano. Of course it was Steinway 9 foot. It sounded wonderful. The front was chipped and nicked so I'm guessing it's a few years old.
2nd piece; Tontentanz for Piano and Orchestra.
I can't give you actual details because I'm not that informed about this piece, but it was dramatic and breathtaking.
Then they took the big piano away.
I really expected the rest to be anticlimactic, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The final portion was Wagner - Selections from Die Meistersinger von Nurmberg. It was very pleasant and a nice come down after the intensity of Groh's performance.
The conductor is Japanese and his name is Morihoko Nakahara. He was delightful. This symphony is 70 performers and is well-supported in this area - 59 years in existence. I was impressed.
