BWW Reviews: Young Musicians Demonstrate Mature Talent

July 7, 2013 Bowdoin International Music Festival, Studzinski Hall, Brunswick, ME

The Fourth of July weekend continued at the Bowdoin International Music Festival with an exciting showcase of the festival's young talent: a four-hour lineup of back to back concerts in the Artists of Tomorrow series. The purpose of these recitals is to create a platform where the festival's students, who range in age from fourteen to mid-twenties, can gain experience performing in a supportive environment. In the first two programs which I attended, twenty-five young artists from seven different countries played with passion, verve, and a firm grasp of the essentials of professional concertizing on the stage of the elegant, acoustically excellent Studzinski Recital Hall on the Bowdoin College campus.

The first concert focused on works for the piano from a wide range of classic and contemporary composers. In two Gershwin arrangements Richard Shin (US) displayed a brilliant technique and a sense of showmanship - (he finished I Got Rhythm with a crescendo of chords played by striking the keys with a flourish of his elbow and forearm!). Sahun Hong (S.Korea) executed the difficult Leon Kirchner Interlude II with virtuosic ease, moving effectively from what he described as "agitation to peace." Xing Zhang (China) had a more daunting task in tackling the well known Chopin Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58. She evidenced a delicate, fluid touch and gave an elegant, introspective reading that might have benefited from an occasional infusion of larger Romantic line.

Justin Hong (US) gave a show-stopping rendition of Mily Balakirev's Islamey Fantaisie Orientale. This unusual work requires virtuosity, temperament, and impeccable technique, all of which Mr. Wong possesses in amplitude.

The quartet of Weiru Sheng (violin, China), Shelley Armer (viola, US), Lisa Hong (cello, Canada), and Ryo Kaneko (piano, Japan) gave a competent reading of the Allegro from Mozart's Piano Quartet in G Minor, K 478. Adam Millstein (violin, US), Jake Klinkenborg (cello, US), and Naoki Toyomura (piano, New Zealand) followed them with a spirited rendition of the Allegro from Beethoven's Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 7, No. 1. These young men demonstrated sensitivity, passion, and interpretive flair, as well as exemplifying the chamber music ideals of harmonious interaction and a balanced, beautiful blend of tone.

This excellent collaboration segued nicely into the next hour's program, which was largely devoted to more chamber works. It opened with the first two movements from Brahms' Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87, played by Itamar Rashkovsky (violin, Israel-UK), Denielle Wilson (cello, US), and Allison Freeman (piano, US). Rashkovsky, in particular, evidenced rich tone and lovely phrasing. The trio that also included Samuel Wong (violin, Brunei) and Andy Speirs (cello, US) played the Allegro from Mozart's Piano Trio in B flat Major, K 502 where pianist Audra Lloyd (US) stood out in her musicality and lightness of touch.

Sophie Wong (violin, Canada), Eva Kennedy (viola, US), Mari Nagahara (cello, US) and Qilin Sun (piano, China) made a remarkable ensemble for the Dvo?ák Piano Quartet No. 2 in E flat Major, Op. 87. Each of these musicians not only displayed sophisticated technique, but also infused her playing with a full, rich Romantic tone. As a group they completely inhabited the expansive composition, breathing into it heartfelt energy and fervor.

In the second half of the program, violinist Adam Woodward (US), accompanied by Sehee Lee on piano, gave an exquisite reading of the Nocturne from Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 77. Playing from memory with a quiet, intense emotion, he drew from his instrument long, arcing laments and aching pianissimi.

The afternoon concluded with two movements from César Franck's Violin Sonata in A Major, played by Bowdoin Virtuosi violinist Laura Lutzke and pianist Matthew Siegel. Lutzke, who has begun her professional career in NYC and elsewhere, has been for many years a student of festival Artistic Director Lewis Kaplan. Creating the perfect harmony of sound and phrasing with her pianist, Lutzke coaxed from her instrument a radiant, subtly nuanced, refined tone. Her elegant phrasing and spontaneity of feeling made her 1828 French crafted violin (a magnificent instrument on loan to her) soar in song.

The audience left Studzinski feeling absolutely elated at having shared an afternoon with such accomplished and committed young artists and marveling at the technical foundation and the ensemble ideals that have been instilled in them by their mentors and by the Bowdoin International Music Festival, itself. This almost half-century-old music fest is a beacon of cultural light on Maine's rocky summer coast.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Bowdoin International Music Festival