(Much thanks to Lianne P for the ESO tickets! I was able to write this review for an applied music course.)
On January 31, 2009, I had the greatest pleasure to watch the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s Keyboard Masterpieces in concert.
MOZART
Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K271 "Jeunnehomme" (32’)*
Allegro
Andantino
Rondeau: Presto[1]
Sara Davis Buechner performed an intricate Mozart’s three-movement piano concerto. It was amazing how the piano soloist could remain in perfect timing with the orchestra throughout three different tempos. Every trill and ornament played during the concerto was very graceful and elegant; there were a lot of trills in the Allegro movement; there was a sense of youth in the first movement. Also it was very rewarding to be able to observe what the song was going to unfold by watching the pianist’s facial expressions. This was evident in the second movement in C minor; it was as if I was watching an opera singer singing a sad aria. It was very dramatic; there was a change in character. You could tell there must have been something tragic happening during this movement. Observing character changes between different movements during this piano concerto has helped me with interpreting the songs I have been playing as a classical pianist.
The highlight of the piano concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major was the transition between Andantino to Rondeau. The dance sharply contrasts the mood from Andantino. There was a great and glorious emphasis of repetitive patterns in the dance movement. There is a passionate story behind the pianist’s interpretive playing; that story was worthwhile listening to.
Overall, the concert was very inspiring. It made me realize how countless hours of practicing can be very rewarding. There is a story to tell in every song. It is the story that people would love to listen to, rather than just paying attention to the techniques alone.
