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Recent Reviews
- Cellist Janneke Hoogland & Pianist James Neiman at Del Mesa
- Fulfilling Mahler’s Ninth at the San Francisco Symphony
- Pianist Sofya Gulyak’s Triumphant Return
- Recital by Organist Vlada Volkova-Moran in Aptos
- Music of Jubilation: Symphony Silicon Valley Finale
- Pianist Jura Margulis Returns to Hidden Valley
- Monterey Peninsula College Orchestra — Spring Concert
- Monterey Symphony ends its 2018-2019 Season
- Gallery Showings by Lucas Blok and Mel Prest
- Monterey Peninsula Voices
- Camerata Singers — Wrapped in Song
- YMMC – Love Side Stories
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Author Archives: Richard Lynde
Recital by Organist Vlada Volkova-Moran in Aptos
On Sunday afternoon, May 26, we had the opportunity to hear an all-Bach program inaugurating the recently installed tracker organ at the Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist in Aptos. Performing on this occasion was organist Vlada Volkova-Moran, who is also a distinguished Russian-trained pianist and teacher residing in Santa Cruz.
The two-manual tracker organ was built near Boston c. 1869 and was originally installed in a church in Marysville. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist purchased the organ for one dollar, and then spent $100,000 to have it dismantled, packed up and shipped to Aptos, where it was then restored, installed and finely adjusted for its new home.
Read full storyBritish Pianist Danny Driver — A Magical tour of Debussy & Ligeti
Returning here after an absence of 18 years, British super-pianist Danny Driver, now in his early 40’s delivered a commanding performance, seated at the ultra expressive Yamaha CFX concert grand at Peace United Church in Santa Cruz on March 19. This event concluded the 2016-17 Distinguished Artists Series season. In April 1999 he had superbly performed a conventional program of Chopin, Scriabin and Ravel on the seven-foot Steinway at St. Andrew’s Church in Aptos, also for DACLS. What we heard on this occasion was a totally unexpected, but very successful, layering of familiar early 20th century Debussy (1862-1918) impressionistic works with selections from Gyorgy Ligeti’s (1923-2006) amazing and almost overwhelming “Etudes” from the mid-1980’s to early “90”s, even more “transcendental” than all those of Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Debussy put together. No wonder they are “cult” favorites for young, hotshot competition contestants. But Danny Driver was not showing off when, with DACLS Director John Orlando intently watching the scores as page turner, he sat lean and electric, using knowledge gained through his Cambridge degree in physiology as he sometimes reached the very depths of the bass with his left hand and the uppermost keys with his right. Read full story
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Piano
Pianist Alon Goldstein Strikes Gold Here Again
A favorite here already, 24 carat pianist Alon Goldstein returned to Peace United Church in Santa Cruz on July 31st to perform a benefit for the Juanita Orlando Piano Fund to continue raising money for the Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series splendid Yamaha CFX, praised by Goldstein as one of the five best in the world he has ever played during his extensive travels. And, after a fine recital, he returned during a second, “interactive” intermission before his encores, to discuss new ideas for the series, such as having performers remain for a few days to give a master class, visit schools or play at convalescent hospitals – all this with the approval of Distinguished Artists’ founding director John Orlando.
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Baroque, Classical Era, Piano, Romantic Era
Pianist Misuzu Tanaka concludes Distinguished Artists Series
On April 17, Misuzu Tanaka, concluding pianist in the always excellent Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series 31st season, presented an appreciative audience with a fine final recital, much of it in quick tempo, by way of early Schumann, late Beethoven (along with his previous “Rage Over a lost Penny),” young 20th century Prokofiev with “new” music, and Rachmaninoff with his aching for old Russia even years before he fled. Tanaka is a very mature, sure performer, one who afterwards told series director John Orlando that playing at the magnificent Yamaha CFX concert grand here was like riding a sensitive race horse, lowering the reins a little, and letting the champion take over for a winning run. In preparation for our “sound ride” she has studied at Juilliard, in the Czech Republic, and with a performance degree from Michigan. And besides playing in large venues, she also graces small festivals like ours here.
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Classical Era, Piano, Romantic Era
Great Pianist Strikes Gold
Alon Goldstein, seasoned Israeli-born pianist, gave a gold medal performance in the second of Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series 31st anniversary events at Peace United Church in Santa Cruz on October 18th. Goldstein, a loving pupil of living legend Leon Fleisher, carries on an ever vital “Viennese” tradition through straightforward performance, clean and clear sound, with sparing pedal to “let the music speak for itself,” as it did under his super-capable hands.
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Classical Era, Piano, Romantic Era
