Concert review: Simon Trpceski, piano.

There are piano recitals, and then there are piano recitals.  Two weeks ago, those in attendance at the Chan Centre were witness to the later.  This evening solo piano recital was perhaps this year's most memorable classical music event in Vancouver. The Vancouver Recital brought in the incredible Macedonian pianist, Simon Trpceski.  

I have actually known about Trpceski from CBC Radio 2 for about six or seven years.  Each time his performances were on the airwaves, I always enjoyed them immensely.  Therefore, I was very excited to hear him perform live. 
Mr. Trpceski began his recital with Schubert's German Dances, D. 783. They were exquisitely performed.  His phrasing was gorgeous.  Mr. Trpceski really captured the delightful character of these miniature dances.  What a wonderful choice with which to begin a recital - sort of like a terrific appetizer before the main course.

After the German Dances, Trpceski launched into the "Wanderer Fantasie", D. 760 by Franz Schubert.  This is a mammoth work - to say the least.  Mr. Trpceski played with the utmost virtuosity.  His dynamic contrasts and the colours he brought out were remarkable.  Moreover, the pyrotechnic display of technique was nothing short of marvellous.

After the intermission, Mr. Trpceski played Liszt's arrangement of a Bach Prelude and Fugue in a minor.  The performer brought out the chromaticism in this piece wonderfully. His attention the the bass line was superb.  Moreover, Mr. Trpceski played with fullness of sound and rhythmic vitality.

The next three selections on the program were from Liszt's Soirées de Vienne, Valses-Caprices d'après Schubert, S. 427.  Mr. Trpceski played these with great clarity in the melody.  Caprice no. 7 in A Major particularly had a crystalline bell-like quality.  Caprice no. 5 illustrated great refinement and Viennese character.  Caprice no. 6 was performed with complete technical command and Mr. Trpceski sensitively conveyed a sense of  nostalgia that is so often present in Schubert's music - a sentiment which Liszt wanted to communicate as well.

Mr. Trpceski (officially) finished his program with Liszt's widely-known and beloved Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in c-sharp minor. What great fun!  This was a thrilling performance and even had slightly comic elements.  Again, Mr. Trpceski's utter technical powers were on display.

The audience was overjoyed with his performance and he obliged us with not one, not two, but THREE encores.  This spoke so strongly to his generosity as an artist.  We were so fortunate to hear Schubert's Moment Musical no. 3, Chopin's  Prelude op. 28, no. 24 in d minor, and Liszt's arrangement of Schubert's Standchen.  

This program was highly enjoyable because of it's originality in conception.  Moreover, Mr. Trpceski's ability to communicate with his audience is phenomenal. It was an exceptional evening of music and I am grateful to have been able to hear what Mr. Trpceski was communicating to us through this recital.  It is a truly special thing when an artist shares their heart with the audience.