March 16 Chamber Concert Review

Amit Peled, Katie Lansdale and Daniel delPino at the Sant Bani School March 16, 2007

The beginnings of a blizzard didn’t keep a devoted audience from attending the March 16 chamber music concert at Sant Bani School. There were a few empty chairs, perhaps because a number of children, aged 4 to 12, chose to sit on the floor, to be closer to the performers. It was amazing to see how attentive they were, especially during the first half, which consisted of Bartok’s Piano Sonata and Kodaly’s Duo for Violin and Cello, both twentieth century pieces.

Daniel del Pino, who had flown from Spain for this (and one other) concert introduced the Bartok by saying how Bartok and Kodaly had traveled through Eastern Europe, recording folk songs and melodies, which they then incorporated into their own compositions. Bartok was the first to use the piano in a very percussive manner. The school’s old 1899 Steinway never made so much sound before!

Katie and Amit, who had never played together before, sounded as if they had known each other forever. The melodies of the Kodaly were traded back and forth between them as if it was one instrument.

After intermission, the Brahms Hungarian Dances are Gypsy music one wants to dance to. Katie, wearing a flowing red blouse, was looking the part as well as playing it. I would have loved to hear more than two, but the Dumky Trio of Dvorak, which followed, is a huge piece. Parts of this trio were played for the school children earlier in the day, when Katie talked about it, and it was wonderful to hear it in its entirety. There was life and style to it, and a freshness that the audience loved. The cello is featured prominently in this trio, which Amit Peled played with great soulfulness and beauty. One person said that he would have to throw out all his recording of the “Dumky Trio,” as none were as good as the performance at Sant Bani School.

One concert remains in the series this year: The Carthage Consort with harpsichordist Frances Conover Fitch are performing April 6, 2007 at 7PM (reception at 6). Let’s hope the weather is more benign by then.