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Rira Lim, pianist
Rira Lim, piano Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, New York October 25, 2009 Born in South Korea, Rira Lim began playing the piano at age four, and at age 14 made her orchestral debut in her native Gwangju. After graduating from Yonsei University in Seoul, she continued her studies at the University…
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Proteus Ensemble and Hai-Ting Chinn, mezzo-soprano
Proteus Ensemble and Hai-Ting Chinn, mezzo-soprano Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY October 25, 2009 This was my first visit to Le Poisson Rouge, a multimedia art cabaret which has become the hip and trendy place to hear classical music in New York. The audience sat at tables and could eat and drink before, during…
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Mareda Gaither-Graves, soprano / Warren George Wilson, piano
Mareda Gaither-Graves, soprano / Warren George Wilson, piano Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY October 24, 2009 An adoring audience braved a very heavy rain to attend this concert by soprano Mareda Gaither-Graves. They were amply rewarded. The recital began with a thrilling performance of Beethoven’s concert aria “Ah! perfido.” This is a very…
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Thomas Schultz, Piano
Thomas Schultz, piano Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY October 23, 2009 The announcement of pianist Thomas Schultz’s October New York recital stirred high hopes, as his outstanding 2006 performance had this reviewer waxing rhapsodic. Those hopes were met in some regards, but less so in others. The first surprise came in the…
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Spencer Myer, Piano
Spencer Myer, piano Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY October 21, 2009 Spencer Myer’s biography lists numerous competitions and awards, but he may be bringing more credit to those competitions than they to him. He is a thoughtful, sincerely committed performer who goes beyond mere display, putting the music first. One is sad thinking that…
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Orrett Rhoden, Piano
Orrett Rhoden, piano Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY October 15, 2009 Sometimes an encore can leave a more marked impression on an audience than the program itself, and such was the case with Jamaican pianist Orrett Rhoden’s transcription of the Bob Marley song, “One Love.” A reggae-meets-Liszt fusion of his homeland’s music…
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Stanislav Khristenko, Piano
Stanislav Khristenko, piano October 15, 2009 Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY Stanislav Khristenko, a Ukrainian pianist and first prize winner of the Virginia Waring international piano competition, made his New York recital debut recently in a thoughtful, focused, and ultimately successful concert at Weill Recital Hall. The pianist revealed deep reserves…
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Minsoo Sohn, Piano
Minsoo Sohn, pianist Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY October 8, 2009 Minsoo Sohn is a pianistic phenomenon and a musical enigma. Born in Korea, he studied with Russell Sherman at the New England Conservatory, and established a brilliant career after winning an astounding number of international competitions, including Canada’s 2006 Honen…
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Ensemble du Monde
Ensemble du Monde Marlon Daniel, conductor Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY August 13, 2009 On August 13th at Merkin Hall, conductor Marlon Daniel and his “Ensemble du Monde” performed Beethoven’s third, fourth and fifth piano concerti. I heard through the grapevine that all five concerti were originally planned. That would have provided more contrast…