In reply to Rog Wilko:
> That’s great, so glad you enjoyed it. Where did you sit?
Right hand side, near the front. Great view and sound.
> Debbie and I were a bit disappointed. The playing was magnificent, both technically and artistically, but we weren’t hugely excited by the programme. The Beethoven was rather “sins of my youth” stuff, or the deservedly neglected fantasia,
I agree there's not a lot to say about the first piece, but I enjoyed the fantasy a lot, never heard it before.
> I’m afraid Chopin never really touches me emotionally.
Wow. The Ballades run the emotional gamut like a bipolar patient on acid. Some of the nocturnes have me bawling my eyes out even if I've just found a tenner down the side of the sofa. For me, Chopin is where virtuosity and imagination come together to make use of the piano as the perfect technology for expressing the content of the human soul. Not kidding!
But for me the sonatas aren't really where he shines, so if you're not a big fan anyway, I can see where you're coming from.
> I would have revelled in some late Schubert played by such a musician.
Me too. Where Chopin is emotionally exuberant and a bit flashy, Schubert is elegant and deeply sincere. If I had to choose, it would have to be Schubert's final works.
> Still good value for a tenner, though. I still find it wonderful to see a pianist playing for over an hour from memory.
I'd have paid a tenner for the Walz in C#m but I'm a sucker for Chopin. The Walzes are a lot like Mozart - orderly perfection, humour, sadness and joy. Cracking!
Post edited at 20:53