Photo credit: Benjamin Ealovega
(4 / 5)
In an all piano concert at Wigmore, Scottish pianist Steven Osborne gave an evening of two half in tone, theme and depth. A first part fired up with Schumann’s Papillons. Breezy and clever in nature, they have a lot going for them from the tortured composer. A slight change in mood With thanks Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 3. Whilst not as iconic as the first, this is almost as evocative, the graceful cloud-like pacing and effortless melody charms. This was followed straight on with Lili Boulanger’s D’un jardiniere Clair from 3 Moreaux. Another sensual offering, this from the tragically short life of a female composer who had innovation to spare. The utter charms of Musical Snuffbox from Anatoly Lyadov are in keeping with Satie’s love of novelty, whilst still being delightful and kitsch (the good kind at least).
Fritz Kreisler’s Liebesleid in the arrangement by Rachmaninov, might have been the most forgettable item of the evening, yet its romantic allure shined, if only briefly. Ravel’s Vales nobles et sentimentales might have not really made the mark in this varied first half. It’s hallmark sound for the composer was there, Osborne played with an openness and exuberant quality Ravel demands from players. Fairly loud and impassioned moments seem shocking from the French composer, I have to remind myself he did push the boundaries somewhat.
A second part would be entirely made up of Beethoven’s 33 Variations in C on a waltz by Diabelli. I didn’t know this piece, the source material comes from Austrian composer Anton Diabelli. For me, this was the stand out of the night and a fantastic discovery. There are so many frantic, clomping moments for Osborne, it was pretty shocking. The unravelling sense of motion, driven by a dramatic flair caught me off guard. Why this is not better known Beethoven?. Granted, an apparent codas seemed murky and some quieter passages didn’t quite live up to the outburst surrounding them. Still, with Osborne’s intense and mastered playing, this was quite the feat. An extremely impressed audience gave much him love, though an encore appeared to far this time.