Concert Review: Chamber Concert at ArtisTreeSeptember 19, ArtisTree
Musicians of HK Sinfonietta
Yun - Rabe - Bartok
I have long noticed this series, but only managed yesterday to attend for the first time. I'd not miss the Bartok masterpiece for the world! The space was a barely camouflaged commercial space, with pillars obstructing those sitting on the side. But Bartok is not everyone's favorite, so most got to seat in the unobstructed center. Every piece got a nice introduction by the performer(s).
Bassoonist Chin Hing-sang opened with Isang Yun's Monolog for bassoon (first version was for bass clarinet). Indeed, as he said the piece was somewhat folk-tinted, but I found it rather repetitive and other pieces of this composer (like his cello concerto) more exciting.
Folke Rabe's Basta fared better under trombonist Jonathan Watkins. In this small space, the sound of the trombone was very rich; not a bit of glare!
The main course was the Bartók Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, and for a moment the current Chinese-Japanese dispute was forgotten. From where I sat, the pianos sounded unfortunately somewhat opaque. Pianist Alan Chu played accurately, but surely the Hungarian spirit was missing. Guest pianist Helen Cha was almost inaudible. In contrast, the sound of percussionist Rieko Koyama was sharp and incisive, and the playing of tympanist Akihiro Muramoto was excellent as usual (I am his fan). Despite my reservations I enjoyed the live performance very much.
Here is Bartok himself playing the piece with his wife Ditta:
And a more ferocious but highly exciting version by Richter and friends:
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