By Lyn Bronson
Sometimes we hear in concert prestigious pianists with big reputations, who also command whopping big artist fees — although I can’t mention names, some of them have the initials M.P., A.S. and E.A. They come into town, play a recital, and then go off to their next engagement to play exactly the same program. They play with admirable technical control and scrupulous accuracy to the printed score (Urtext, of course), yet there is often something missing in their playing. We keep waiting for something to happen — something beyond merely hearing the notes. We keep waiting to hear vital performances that will fully engage our hearts and hold us enthralled.
Wait no further! Pianist Jura Margulis (pronounced “YOUR-a Mar-GU-las”) performed such a recital last night at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley Village. It may be a long eleven-mile schlep from Carmel (and five miles further from Monterey and Pacific Grove), but it was worth it, for this was a recital that was as interesting as it was thrilling.
