Piano Recital: students of Judith Clark
Piano music by Fauré (duets), Pasquini, Lilburn, Brahms, Rameau, Mozart, Schumann, Jenny McLeod, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Ian Munro.
Nicole Ting and Eric Ting
St. Mark’s Church, Lower Hutt
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
These students of Judith Clark, the doyenne of piano teachers in Wellington over a long period, proved to be young; 13 or 14 and 11, maybe? Therefore a review in the usual style does not seem appropriate. However, some remarks are in order.
These are two very capable and talented performers. From the beginning, I was very impressed with their touch on the piano. They did not hit, bang, clatter or slur the keys. They were in sympathy with the instrument, and had been taught how important touch is, something often missing today, in my experience. This piano did not clatter, it gave out music.
Another feature was the marvellous control of dynamics, from very soft to loud. Having touch and dynamics understood and under control, the rest can follow for these young pianists. That this control emanates from the excellent teaching they have received is obvious.
All the music except the Jenny McLeod Tone Clock no. 20 was played from memory, including the duets from Fauré’s Dolly Suite: ‘Berceuse’ and ‘Mi-a-ow’ at the start of the concert, and ‘Kitty Valse’ at the end. The concert was thus framed by Fauré, and had Mozart in the middle as the gentleman thanking the players after the recital said.
The Mozart was the most extended item: Sonata in B flat K.570 – a late work. It was thoughtfully, accurately and sensitively played by Nicole Ting, who among her 6 solo pieces in this baroque to contemporary recital, played Rachmaninov’s Étude Tableau Op.39 no.4. Nicole proved equally at home in a modern number by contemporary Australian Ian Munro ‘Dismal Blues’ from Blue Rags.
Eric played four solos, including four of Beethoven’s Bagatelles, Op.119 and Op. 33. These were beautifully rendered.
The Fauré duets, in which Eric played the upper part and Nicole the lower were a delight. At first it seemed the young pianists were adjusting to the piano and the acoustics in the church, but they were soon on their way. There was none of the clattering some duettists produce; the combination of Fauré, St. Mark’s, and the Ting siblings was enchanting.