Review: Rewarding recital by distinguished pianist

Richard Mapp played at the Blue Baths last night. Photo / Supplied

This rewarding recital by one of our most distinguished pianists had a programme of six works which ranged over three centuries.

He had to cope with an instrument ravaged by time and Rotorua's fumes, but was heroically attuned to each piece.

His keyboard skills were evident from the start through his rhythmically supple playing in Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Minor.

Kenneth Young's new No 5 of Five pieces for piano was certainly attention-getting when the foreboding chords which opened were followed by syncopation-like vibrancy and leading to a satisfying resolution.

Schubert's Three Piano Pieces was rough-edged because of the piano but still had charm and depth, while Chopin's Nocturne in C Minor was intense and thoughtful.

Messiaen expressed his religious devotion through the Première communion de la vierge, a vivid and colourful mixture of meditative and excited moods, although its unconventional style made big demands on the audience.

The concert ended on a high-note with Brahms' Seven Fantasies which were almost a sampler of the composer's distinctive styles, and an engaging Chopin waltz.

Richard Mapp's recital concluded the year's Rotorua Music Federation concert series which contained a stimulating variety of chamber music ensembles.

Review by Hanno Fairburn

The details
What: Pianist Richard Mapp
When: Wednesday, August 22
Where: Blue Baths