Pianist proves chops with Chopin sonata
Monthly concert series allows piano scholars to flex fingers with work by well-known Polish composer.
Nathan Walker
Issue date: 3/9/10 Section: Entertainment
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Pausing for a moment to bow to the audience, she steadily proceeded to the bench of one of the hall's beautiful grand pianos. After she sat down, an anticipatory silence lingered in the air. But then, as Kim's hands descended to the keyboard, the silence was shattered by the forceful opening chord of the renowned Polish composer's Piano Sonata No. 2.
Kim's recital on Monday, March 1 was the most recent installment of Sundin's year-long "Lunch with Chopin" series, which features free half hour concerts devoted to the composer's different works.
The recitals are held the first Monday of every month and feature different musicians playing the works of Chopin each time. This particular performance also happened to fall on the composer's 200th birthday.
In explaining the purpose for the group of concerts, Sundin's director Silvester Vicic said his primary goal was to provide people with a quality listening experience in a short amount of time.
"[I want] to give people a substantial experience … [so] then [they] go back to work refreshed [and] invigorated," Vicic said.
And if Kim's performance is any guide, it seems Vicic has achieved this.
What ensued from the first moment of contact between Kim's hands and the keys was pure bliss. Comprised of four movements, the Sonata No. 2 led the listener on an auditory roller coaster ride. Just as one seemed to grasp the pattern of Chopin's notes, a formal shift would occur, launching one into a temporary state of confusion as they were forced to adjust to the new infusion of melodies and harmonies. This turned the concert into a thrilling game of tag, with Chopin seemingly always one step ahead.
In providing the sensation of a chase, Kim maintained her composure completely, shifting deftly between the frenzy of the piece's breakneck swells, to its slower, softer, meandering melodies. The seeming ease with which Kim navigated these changes can only be described as virtuosity.
Kim studies at Hamline's International Piano Institute - whose statement of purpose is "to provide world-class advanced piano performance studies." According to Vicic, the program attracts top-rate performers from all over the world.
"They have all these tremendous players … [and] I wanted to give them a place to play," Vicic said.
Beyond displaying her technical prowess, Kim was able to use the concert to establish an emotional bond with the audience. This speaks to her skill as a performer, but is also a testament to Chopin's talent as a composer for interpreting raw feelings in his scores.
In explaining his own attraction to Chopin, Vicic discussed this unique talent.
"There's a genuine sort of emotional quality to his music," he said. "There's a really powerful speaking to the heart."
In extracting these different emotional textures from the Sonata No. 2, Kim's playing was amplified by Sundin's excellent acoustics, which even gave Vicic's pre-concert reminder for audience members to turn of their cell phones a certain rich clarity.
Beyond this, listeners were rewarded for their attendance after the show with a delicious piece of chocolate cake provided by Vicic in honor of Chopin's 200th birthday, which happened to fall on the day of the concert.
Such a combination of excellent performers, a wonderful venue and free food makes the next installment of "Lunch with Chopin," scheduled for noon on April 5th, a must.
UPCOMING SUNDIN EVENTS
Tuesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.: The Keyboard Conversations series presents Jeffrey Siegel - "Chopin the Polish Parrot!"
Saturday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.: The Minnesota Philharmonic, Minnesota's GLBT orchestra presents Mozart's Symphony No. 38
Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 p.m.: The Chamber Orchestra of Neuss, Germany presents a celebration of J.S. Bach's birthday.
Saturday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.: Hamline International Piano Institute and Department of Music present Jerome Rose in recital.
For a full list of concerts and ticket information:
www.hamline.edu/sundin or x2459
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nwalker@hamlineoracle.com
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