Pianist’s Concert Was Even Worth

Braving A Snowy Sunday Afternoon

By June S. April

In its 28 years of existence, Newtown Friends of Music is proud to say that is has never had to postpone or cancel a concert… until now.

Faced with a Nor’easter rolling through the region on Sunday, February 12, NFoM board members had to make a decision about a concert that was scheduled for 3 pm that afternoon. It was finally decided to reschedule the performance to Monday, February 13, at noon.

To look at this lovely, petite woman gives no hint of the magnitude of  power and intensity of her playing.  There is no artifice, simply a bow of acknowledgment to the audience and then Katia Skanavi is at her beloved instrument, playing Handel, Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff with such nuances, joy, understanding and passion that her growing fame is not at all surprising.

Opening the concert with Chaconne in G Major, HWV 435 by George Frederic Handel, Ms Skanavi’s fingers almost caressed the keys, bringing alive a richness of musical tapestry through the tonal coloring of dynamics.

It was refreshing to hear the works of two of the Romantic composers/performers who were heralded in their day, Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin.  The flow of melodic lines and the challenging passages that defined the works of these geniuses were clearly translated by Ms Skanavi’s technical mastery and understanding of these exquisitely beautiful, yet difficult works.

The second half of the program was filled by the exciting and demanding music of  Russian composer, Serge Rachmaninoff. The nine studies, Etudes tableaux, Opus 39 ranged from the aggressive Allegro Agitato in C minor to the eloquent Allegro in A minor. It’s clear that this talented artist does not shrink from massive music works, but relishes the opportunities they present.

Mostly known throughout Asia and Europe, her five compact discs (recorded in France) bring to connoisseurs in this country another pianist who has great insights into interpreting Schumann, Chopin and Rachmaninoff.  The enthusiastic reviews of her recordings bear witness to a talent that will only grow with the years.  Live performances have critics using superlatives in describing Ms Skanavi’s artistry.

The audience’s shouts of bravo brought her back for one of Chopin’s sparkling Mazurkas and an even more delicious ending to what was a very wonderful Monday afternoon concert.

Even with three young children,  this  award-winning pianist holds to a busy international schedule. That the Newtown Friends of Music were able to bring her to Edmond Town Hall reflects on their skills and excellent choices.