Pianist Antonio Iturrioz

ITURRIOZ CHARMS SEBASTOPOL RECITAL AUDIENCE

Cuban-American pianist Antonio Iturrioz alternately thrilled and charmed a capacity Sebastopol Center for the Arts audience Feb. 28 with an eclectic progam of popular and rarely-heard music

As a tribute to Schumann and Chopin’s 200th birthdays in 2010, Mr. Iturrioz mixed seldom heard works as well as old favorites. His tone was like butter, and he played Schumann’s “Traumerei’ with more rounded tones and compassion than even Horowitz, whom this reviewer heard in Toronto in the 1970s. He also performed the Aria from Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 3, in Godowsky’s arrangement, two Posthumous Etudes by Schumann and Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantaisie in A Flat, Op. 61.

The first half of the program was laced with Mr. Iturrioz’ informative commentary and he mentioned the speculation that Brahms might have re-composed the studies. He continued with Chopin’s Etudes in A Flat, Op. 25, No. 1 (“Aeolian Harp”) and C Minor (“Revolutionary”). His interpretation of the first was perfection, the lush and gorgeous tones enraptured the audience. His tempo of the “Revolutionary” Etude was quite fast.

The second half began with a work by Sonoma County composer Jim Davis, having the character of a light improvisation. Felix Blumenfeld’s Etude for the left hand in A-Flat Major, Op. 36, sounded like a two-handed piece in Mr. Iturrioz’ version.

The program ended with two Gottschalk works: Andante from the “Night in the Tropics” (Symphonie Romantique) and “El Cocoyé,” the latter a “Grand Caprice Cubain.”

With the encore of Lecuona’s “Noche Azul” the pianist received a standing ovation.