Choral and Vocal
SPARKLING ART SONG AND PIANO SOLO RECITAL AT THE 222 GALLERY
by Pamela Hick Gailey
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Symphony
MOZART THE SUBLIME IN UKIAH SYMPHONY'S CONCERT
by Terry McNeill
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Symphony
POTENT TCHAIKOVSKY INTERPRETATION IN PHILHARMONIC'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OPENER
by Terry McNeill
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Recital
SPANISH MUSIC AT SPRING LAKE VILLAGE
by Terry McNeill
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Chamber
BRASS OVER BRIDGES AT SPRING LAKE SERIES
by Terry McNeill
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
CALLEJA AND SANIKIDZE CHARGE THE ATMOSPHERE IN WEILL WITH SUMMER FAVORITES
by Pamela Hicks Gailey
Saturday, August 3, 2024
ENERGETIC SINGING IN CALLEJA/SANIKIDZE WEILL RECITAL
by Mark Kratz
Saturday, August 3, 2024
MUSICAL CALM IN A WORLD OF POLITICAL IDIOTS
by Terry McNeill
Friday, August 2, 2024
Chamber
SUNBEAMS ON THE FESTIVAL DEL SOLE FROM THE FAR NORTH
by Terry McNeill
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Chamber
A FAURE TO REMEMBER
by Terry McNeill
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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Pianist Anton Nel |
IMPECCABLE ARTISTIC TASTE IN ANTON NEL SRJC RECITAL
by Terry McNeill
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Reporting on a recital by the Austin-based pianist Anton Nel is a predictably satisfying task. His playing Oct. 19 in SRJC’s Newman Auditorium mirrored a recital on the same stage nearly two years ago and showcased a high level of professionalism and artistry.
Beginning with Mozart’s D Major "Duport Variations," K. 573, Mr. Nel continued just where he left off in 2012, offering an urbane and witty performance. A cornucopia of small details--just a touch of pedal at phrase endings, pearly scales and a smooth cross-hand technique--provided shape to the various touches the pianist used. In this late set of variations, written two years before his untimely death, Mozart radically changes Duport’s theme instead of merely embroidering it. Mr. Nel’s performance was flawless.
Five Debussy Preludes from the 12 of Book II came next, beginning with the sharp rhythms of General Levine – Eccentric. The pianist emphasized the dynamic extremes, very different from the lyricism of Bruyères and the scherzo-like mood changes of the insouciant water sprite Ondine.
The imaginative La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune demonstrated Mr. Nel’s sovereign control over chordal weighting and subtle thematic underlinings. The concluding Feux d’artifice had glittering arpeggios and trills and explosive chords, frenetic when needed to convey a sound of Parisian fireworks. It was the most difficult of the set but seemed to be child’s play under Mr. Nel’s commanding pianistic control.
Can this artist play at any level below magisterial? Not at this recital. The first half’s concluding A Flat Chopin Ballade was a case study in Romantic pianism of repose and space. Using careful pedaling, he drew a burnished sound from the instrument. Nothing was out of place in this most lyrical of the four great Ballades. Mr. Nel eschewed pianistic heroics and extended ritards. His was a performance of impeccable conception and taste.
This reviewer was unable to hear the sole second half work, Schubert’s mighty B Flat Sonata, D. 960, but others reported that it was a transcendent performance.
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