Wednesday January 18th, 2023 - Young Concert Artists presenting pianist Aristo Sham (above) in a noontime concert at The Morgan Library. The Hong Kong-born artist holds a Bachelors in Economics from Harvard University and a Masters in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory. His presentation is both elegant and vibrant, whilst his red-and-white socks revealed a touch of wit. He seemed to hold the sizeable audience in Gilder Lehrman Hall under a spell this afternoon.
Mr. Sham opened the program with Heitor Villa-Lobos' A prole do bebê ("The Baby's Family"), Vol. 1. These are eight miniature character studies, depicting dolls. The first, Branquinha, opens with a gently rippling motif, followed by glissandi which lead us to a simple melody that gets quite grand. Moreninha is animated; the music seems to percolate. For Caboclinha, syncopation lends a jazzy feeling, followed by a nod to the blues in Mulatinha. Negrinha is restless, bright, insistent...and A pobrezinha is a dreamy lullabye. The witty opening of O polichinelo develops into swirls of notes before turning dramatic. And the concluding A bruxa is fast, with a scampering liveliness. To every note and phrase, Mr. Sham brought colour and rhythmic certainty.
Following the briefest of pauses, Mr. Sham commenced Astor Piazzolla's Adiós Nonino ("Farewell Grandpa"), a Tango Rhapsody. Piazzolla reportedly wrote this piece in a single day following the death of his grandfather; it is everything one wants from a tango. A dramatic start is followed by a romantic theme. The music vecomes brooding, then passionate, then dreamy. A sad and lovely song emerges - a classic tango centerpiece - before a cresting wave of sound hits us. Following some quieting measures, a single sustained low note brings the work to a close. Mr. Sham's mastery of dynamics, and his evident love of the music itself, made this an engrossing experience.
Above: Aristo Sham; performance photo by John Stolen
Samuel Barber's Piano Sonata was nothing less than thrilling in Mr. Sham's interpretation. The opening Allegro energico is dramatic and subtle by turns. A slow pulsing signals the start of a build-up, huge and fraught. The music softens, with a hesitant quality, then turns dark and probing before finally reaching a somber finish. The Allegro vivace e leggero has a delicate start which turns into a waltz. The music tinkles and flutters. Mr. Sham reached the heights of interpretive power with the Adagio mesto. The pensive start introduces a forlorn melody; the music darkens and becomes grandly desolate. As a feeling of mystery engulfs us, the movement reaches an incredible finish which fades to total silence; for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Then a fanfare-like passage announces the finale - Allegro con spirito - as Mr. Sham reels off swift cascades of notes with brilliant virtuosity, combining power and control in perfect measure: a complete triumph for the young pianist.
Above: playing the Schumann Opus 47: SooBeen Lee, Mr.Sham, Jonathan Swensen and Toby Appel; photo by John Stolen
Joining Mr. Sham for the program's fabulous finale - Robert Schumann's Piano Quartet, Op. 47 - were guest artists SooBeen Lee (violin), Toby Appel (viola), and Jonathan Swensen (cello). Euterpe must have waved her magic wand to bring these four artists together at this place and time, for it was one of the finest quartet performances I've ever experienced.
A hynn-like passage opens the work, and from the start we can marvel at the rich blend the four musicians achieve, anchored by the intense beauty of Mr. Swensen's cello. A flow of melody carries us along, and watching the communication between the foursome was very much a part of the sublime atmosphere they were creating. Gorgeous tone from all, perfectly interwoven.
Cello and piano introduce the Scherzo, a fast and fabulous musical treat. Viola and cello align in a slower section, and a sense of Mendelssohnian magic prevails. Mr. Swensen then sets forth a heavenly cantabile in the Andante, soon taken up by Ms. Lee's silken violin and then by Mr. Appel's mellow contralto viola. Mr. Sham at the piano is nobly expressive. Mr. Appel takes up the melody, with Ms. Lee offering a counter-song. The cello returns, and together the players reach the heights of musical expression. The Andante has a nostalgic finish.
The Schumann masterpiece concludes with a Vivace which feels like a burst of joy. Sailing along, the musicians provide a veritable feast of sound: a meshing of timbres and technique that is vastly pleasing to both the ear and the soul.
Above, the afternoon's artists: Mr. Sham, Mr. Swensen, Ms.Lee, and Mr. Appel; photo by John Stolen.
Bravissimi tutti!!
Performance photos by John Stolen, courtesy of Young Concert Artists.
~ Oberon