Last Monday the Grahamstown Music Society hosted a fine performance by cellist Anzél Gerber and pianist Rinko Hama.
One could only be intrigued by the internationally collaborative nature of a South African cellist, a German-based Japanese pianist, and an evening of Russian music. What a treat it turned out to be.
Last Monday the Grahamstown Music Society hosted a fine performance by cellist Anzél Gerber and pianist Rinko Hama.
One could only be intrigued by the internationally collaborative nature of a South African cellist, a German-based Japanese pianist, and an evening of Russian music. What a treat it turned out to be.
Most of Myaskovsky’s music has sadly been consigned to the realm of dusty obscurity, so it was a rare joy to hear his Sonata No 1 for Cello and Piano.
The sonata resonated with Gerber’s warm and beautifully textured tone, which was all the more enhanced by her intonation being both reliable and exquisitely spot on.
A short first half concluded with the Adagio and Spring Waltz from Shostakovich’s Ballet Suite No. 2.
Originally arranged for full orchestra, the transcription for cello and piano retains much of the original light-hearted character, which extends to almost banal triviality in places.
The Adagio allowed the audience to soar serenely on the rich upper register of Gerber’s wonderful tone.
The Spring Waltz, while containing some impressive up-bow spiccato passages and an endearingly cheeky character, might have been more suited to an amuse-bouche rather than being part of the main programme.
But any misgivings one might have had about the shortness of the first half were immediately dispelled by the Prokofiev cello sonata.
This was the musical meat of the programme, imbued as it was with melodic, rhythmic and harmonic interest. It was here that the two instruments came together as one.
Tuneful thematic material was passed between the two musicians in exchanges of perfect dialogue. It was here too that we had a real opportunity to appreciate Hama’s versatility – by turns sensitive, supportive, mischievous, and melodious.
The final work on the programme was Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso, originally scored for solo cello and orchestra. In addition to emotional expression, this work showcased Gerber’s technical prowess which included some lightning fast runs which scurried up and down the fingerboard.
A well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative audience was followed by a tantalising encore – the 3rd movement (Andante) from Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata in G minor. If only we could have heard more of this glorious work.
This was a wonderful evening of Russian music brought to life by two masters of their craft. In viniculture parlance the performance was mature, full-bodied, and well-rounded, with sensuous overtones of lyricism and grace.
The next Grahamstown Music Society concert, a rescheduled piano recital by Catherine Foxcroft, will take place in the St Andrew’s College Drill Hall on Wednesday 15 June.
