The other night I was lucky enough to catch Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa in action. For some inscrutable reason this internationally famous musician plays in St. Botolph's Church in our town of Colchester (just outside London, England). Not that I'm questioning such good fortune.

Her programme was Debussy's Preludes Bk. II, the Deux Arabesques and the Valse 'La plus que lente' followed in the second half by the Liszt B-min sonata. Ogawa is widely regarded as a Debussy specialist and her two Debussy discs (which I own) have been given lots of awards by publications like Gramophone.

The concert was very enjoyable. Ogawa's interpretations of the Arabesques was playful and smooth, and there were some beautiful moments in the Preludes. The water-nymph piece 'Ondine' was very fluid and showed off her technical finish, the 'La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune' was solemn and serene, and the final 'Feux d'artifice' sparkled. Ogawa has a very refined technique, and her Debussy always sounds impressionistic and atmospheric, with none of the excessively precise, clear playing that some performers adopt.

The Liszt Sonata was also powerful, but the cadenzas and recitative parts sounded a little too impressionistic to my ears. There were some great climaxes (very sophisticated use of rubato), although I felt she kind of seized the moment, even when it meant compromising the overall balance of the piece.

Her encore was La Campanella, which everyone enjoyed (Unfortunately, 'everyone' was a mere 80 people -- the church is never more than half-full, which infuriates me). I've been three years running now, and won't miss next year.

Peter

Right in your town! Magnificent!

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Great review; I will be sure to check her out!

Thanks

Praetorian, is Colchester somewhere near Earls Colne and Coggeshall? My grandfather was stationed there with the 8th Air Force during WWII at an airfield that sort of straddled those towns, and it seems to me that he mentioned Colchester, also. Nothing to do with pianos, I know, but I was just curious.

Very good, Dwain, your grasp of British geography certainly outshines most Ohians, and even a lot of Brits. Colchester's about 40 miles northeast of London, about the same distance from Cambridge, and not far from the coast.

As for Columbus....not too far from Cleveland, is it? Hmm...

Peter

No, in relative terms, not far. We're about 2 1/2 hours away from Cleveland, and about equally far away from Cincinnati. Not entirely accurate, but close: draw a diagonal line through Ohio from northeast to southwest. The "Three C's" are at the northeast tip (Cleveland), the southwest tip (Cincinnati), and the middle of the line(Columbus).

How lucky that you got to see her! Especially since she was playing my favorite piece to hear performed, the Liszt Sonata. I've heard it countless times but I just can't get enough of it!

Me neither. The main lyrical melody (the one usually in F-sharp) always brings a tear to the eye, and the repeated climaxes make my heart leap. Most of all, the ending of it will undoubtedly intrigue and mystify me forever.

Peter