Young confident rising stars at St Georges Cathedra, Concert Review by Shuan
Tian Liang, Hannah Wang and Vevina Yang performed to a huge crowd at the St Georges Cathedral on 4th of July. They were fabulous and the crowd were all surprised by what technical refinement and musicality coming out from such young pianists of age 8, 9 and 12 respectively.
Concert Review by Shuan Hern Lee
This concert began with a wonderful performance of Mozart’s Sonata no.17, K570, first movement. Tian Liang presented this piece with a sense of serenity, and classical style. It
was filled with gentleness, and played with delicate tonal quality. Equiped only with his small hands, he continued to perform his second piece, the posthumous waltz in E minor, by Chopin. Despite the lack of voicing of melodies, he played beautifully, with tone and colour. One could have argued the more space should be inserted in certain areas, as it sounded rather hasty. Tian’s performance ended with the Rigaudon by Ravel from the Tombeau Le Couperin. It was played with great enthusiasm, and sense of style. Again, more time for relaxation during the slower passages, would be more contrasting. However, Tian evidently has great talent and a fantastic future in music. Hannah Wang, performed the Beethoven Sonata Opus 14 no.2 first movement. The sound that was produced in this sonata, was very sensitive. There were times in which I thought there was too much swelling, and a lack of musical direction. Her next piece, the Chopin Nocturne opus 27 no.2, despite a few note errors, was well played, with cantabile tone, and in a poised and confident manner. The tempo fluctuation within the phrases of this nocturne, was somehow too overdone for my personal taste. The Gnomereigen by Liszt is a fantastically challenging masterpiece. It was evidently well prepared, and technically secure, for her age. Speed fluctuations were well mastered, with great timing in the different sections. The climax was built with excitement and maturity. However, at times, there were certain areas that lacked consistency with dynamics and articulation. Nevertheless, this challenging work was wonderfully presented in a fantastic performance by Hannah Wang. Vevina Yang, commenced her impressive set of pieces, with the Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Minor BWV 861. The prelude was played with amazingly legato touch, and a beautiful beginning for the fugue. I found the fugue a tinge too slow and lamenting, even at times dragging. More polyphony could be added to this fugue, in order to make it sound more complicated, and choral. Beethoven sonata opus 26 no.12 fourth movement was totally an excitement to hear. There were times where I thought it to be a bit too laid back, in terms of dynamics and speed. Despite the excitement and fluency, it was rather hard to spot a certain climax in her interpretation of this work, because it was too soft. Brahms intermezzo opus 118 was performed with brilliant phrasing and line. Tonal colours were varied and tone and melodic line. Not enough harmonies and richness. More dynamic contrast between sections and moods, could also help build a better shape of the piece. Vevina’s interpretation of Poulenc’s toccata was, for me, too soft and timid. However, Vevina has displayed a highly capable musicality and technique, without even taking in to consideration that she was sick with a fever. Overall, the concert was a great success, as the three young performers were greeted with a large crowd of approximately 100 people. Everyone, including the performers, thoroughly enjoyed their performances.
