Mundane Start Ends In A Thrilling Ride

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday August 25, 2006

Reviewed by David Vance

PAUL LEWIS

City Recital Hall, August 21

THOSE who departed at interval from the recital of Beethoven sonatas given by the British pianist Paul Lewis for Musica Viva may have had a bus to catch, perhaps a romantic assignation to keep, or simply needed to rush home to unload the dishwasher.

Or perhaps they were, like me, a tad underwhelmed by a performance that had all the right notes in the right places but little of the engagement or excitement to be expected from an artist with such a distinguished reputation.

This is not to say the playing was poor - it was nothing of the sort - but initially it didn't quite achieve that sense of inspiration or revelation to be hoped for when revisiting the Beethoven sonatas.

Lewis is nevertheless a fine pianist, and there was plenty of evidence to support that claim. The many artfully shaped phrases, the exquisite pianissimo passages of gossamer delicacy, and plenty of turbulence and dark brooding in both the F Minor Sonata, Op 2 No 1 and the Moonlight Sonata, which together formed the first half of this program, attested to his artistry. Lewis savoured the fantasia quality of this sonata with occasional and pleasing insights, particularly in the central allegretto with its slightly unsettling syncopations, and a richly hued trio.

Niggling concerns arose from his tendency to allow left-hand accompaniment figures to dominate right-hand melodic contours, while his propensity to hammer the klavier to achieve fortissimos often created a clamorous jangling of strings rather than the rich depth of tone that might result from a less aggressive attack. Had he been playing one of Beethoven's own pianos, Lewis may well have broken a string or two.

The second half of the program opened with an articulate performance of the A Major Sonata, Op2 No.2, and proceeded to the massive Appassionata Sonata, Op57 in which, finally, there was genuine musical excitement, and a performance that took the audience on a precipitous roller-coaster ride that was stimulating and exhilarating.

It was worth the wait. Those who plan to attend the repeat performance on August 31 should unload their dishwashers before they leave home.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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