By Lyn Bronson

On Sunday afternoon, March 29, London based pianist Dennis Lee blew into town like a breath of fresh air and played a “socko, boffo” recital at California State University Monterey Bay. Originally a native of Penang, Malaysia, Lee at the age of fourteen won an Associated Board scholarship to study piano at the Royal College of Music in London where he was a classmate of David Helfgott of “Shine” fame

Dennis Lee is one of those musicians whose gracious ease at the keyboard suggests that performing for him is as natural as breathing. There are no gratuitous gestures, no affected facial contortions, and no musical mannerisms to interfere with the music. His recital was pure music from beginning to end. Every work he performed suggested a natural affinity with the music and the uncanny ability to project this to an attentive audience.

The recital began with two Sonatas by Beethoven, the Sonata in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2, and the Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111. The G Major sonata revealed a nicely styled approach to early Beethoven, and all three movements revealed masterful, if somewhat restrained, playing that was well received by the audience. The C Minor Sonata Op. 111, was another matter. Off came the gloves as Mr. Lee tackled this great sonata and swallowed it whole. He revealed just the right amount of violent anger in the tempestuous first movement and guided us through the labyrinth of the beautiful Arietta second movement. His lovely quiet ending to the movement left us in a magical trance.

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