Oct 9, 2021, Shenzhen Concert Hall
Zuo Zhang 左章 (Zee Zee) Recital 旅行岁月
Scarlatti - Wagner - Schoenberg - Liszt - Ravel
Shenzhen local Zuo Zhang, known as Zee Zee, had won prizes in many competitions, built up quite a reputation and is now DG artist. I likely could have heard her here in SZ many times in her more formative years but missed. I started to notice her after I heard her DG album with the excellent Z.E.N.Trio (with first rate partners; violinist Esther Yoo and cellist Narek Hakhazaryan): her playing and control of the narratives completely anchored the trio and captivated me.
This concert was supposed to have happened in May, after her similar program in Hong Kong (which my friend Andrew briefly commented on in a past post), but was postponed due to a sporadic covid case here then. The new date turned out to be a bad choice as a typhoon pounded the region (it rained heavily for over 48 hours). The turnout was very low.
The program was centered around some of the most famous numbers from Liszt's Annees de Pelerinage, a magnum opus whose Chinese translation 旅行岁月, suboptimal as it may be (as 旅行 is Travel, which misses the connotation of Pilgrimage,) is used as the Title of this Recital.
First, the Liszt centerpieces. The First Half featured Vallee d'Obermann, the Second Les Jeux d'eau a la Villa d'Este and Venezia e Napoli - Tarantella. These were dispatched with aplomb, but in surprisingly efficient fashion - by this I mean tempi on the fast side, with less lingering and sculpting than usual. Indeed, dynamic range seemed less wide than usual. When the going got busy, there was a certain tonal and textural homogeneity. If all this seemed damning, it is not at all, as her considerable strengths ensured that everything worked. Although the color palette was not very wide, everything she played had a burnished quality; notes and hands were perfectly delineated from each other, miraculously without hint of dissection or intellectual dryness. She is definitely not one who would refine her treble notes compulsively a la Krystian Zimerman, but they have fullness, a rare quality (if coming across as slightly blunt at times). When it comes to the left hand, perhaps in absolute heft there are a few pianist who could deliver more, but she is no slouch and delightfully hers was always clearly audible even in busy passages. For all the musicality, fluidity and natural momentum, there were remarkable details to be had, and all the notes were for once not pulled around. These were refreshing readings that I enjoyed and that avoided the lugubriousness and longeurs which plague Liszt in lesser hands.
The Liszt Jeux d'eau was followed by the lovely Ravel piece of the same name instead of the originally scheduled, more substantial Gaspard de la Nuit. Too bad.
Concert opened with two Scarlatti Sonatas not originally in the program. A little more pointing would have had greater effect. Then came Liszt's transcription of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde Prelude to Act 1, which I presume ties in to the journey theme of the program (the couple were on a boat). The rendition was a little cool, and the simmering tension was not completely brought to the fore. All this did not prepare me for the astonishing performance of Schoenberg's Drei Klavierstucke, Op.11, his first atonal work (not sure where the theme of journey fits in). Unlike the rest of the program, the pianist here was fiercely concentrated and played in highly coloristic fashion, structurally tight yet warmly effusive. Her left hand was particularly telling and a comforting anchor. Unlike many a recording of this piece, which can make the piece seem white and bland, this live performance was a gem and worth the price of admission alone. Bravo!
The weather was horrible - a bad day. The past year had been a very bad time for musicians, not to mention one who's just become a mother. I wonder if it had taken a toll on the pianist. Her shortening of the program, and the overall fast tempo, could have been efforts to combat the circumstances, including the morale-deflating low attendance (mind you, the audience here are of lower caliber too - fact, not a patronizing statement). She gracefully thanked the audience for coming despite the weather. Only one encore was offered. Now, all this is wild guess on my part.
My friend Andrew had commented on her stage manner. Having gained weight during her recent pregnancy, she was dressed in black, pants and a jacket. That was not the problem. Perhaps nerves? She was in a hurry getting on and off stage, and was a little awkward. A little more grace under pressure and willingness to work the audience would have been helpful. Nonetheless, I am convinced this lady is one I should follow, and I will. Technically secure, she has fire underneath and something most precious, unerring sense of direction.
