FeaturedMusicReviewSouth East

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL: Yuanfan Yang Piano – All Saints Church, Hove.

Reviewer: Simon Topping

Music Programme: Mozart: Piano Sonata in c major K330

Rachmaninov: Variations on a Theme of Corelli Op 42

Yang: Waves

Bartok: Piano Sonata

Performer: Yuanfan Yang

Set in the awe inspiring interior of the All Saints Church in Hove, Yuanfan Yang presents a varied programme of intense and lighter piano pieces, plus some playful improvisation, which shows off his exceptional skill and deftness of touch, to the delight of an appreciative Brighton Festival crowd.

A grand piano lies in wait for a player, seeming small is such a grand location. All Saint’s is one of the larger churches in the Brighton and Hove area, an imposing Gothic revival building. The grandeur of its interior is impressive with archways that seemingly reach to the sky and awe-inspiring stained glass windows the height of double decker buses. It is a fitting place to hear the beauty of Yaunfan Yang’s playing style.

The musician begins his recital with a light piece by Mozart, full of intricacies and artful delicate fingering that denotes much of Mozart’s work. Like a musical waterfall the note cascade through the hall as the piece turns from light to melancholy and through to the denouement which suggests purpose and drive.

The second piece, by Rachmaninov, instantly connects with the soul in a sad and resonant way. Written in the summer of 1931 this was the first solo piano piece he had written since his escape from Russia, fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution. The anguish and chaos of being displaced comes across strongly in the piece. There is a ferocity of emotion heightened by discordant, fractured phrases. It is a technical mountain to climb. Once which Yang appears to achieve with easy, without breaking sweat.

The third piece is by the pianist himself. Waves is a brooding complex composition written while the artist was only fourteen, inspired by the open sea and surging waves. This does not appear to be a calm sea, this is the sea as destroyer and vibrant and unpredictable sea, which Yang captures perfectly

The final programmed piece is Piano Sonata by Bela Bartok and is the most challenging of the recital to listen to. It is a forceful piece and once again challenges the players technical abilities. Yang is more than equal to any challenge and moves through the music with consummate ease. Less emotionally engaging then Rachmaninov it is an unsettling note to end on.

Although, delightfully, this is not the end. Yang, born in Edinburgh and a rising star of the classical piano scene, come to address the audience and thank the organisers. He is a charming and confident young man in his mid twenties. He has plenty of warmth and is good humoured.

He now asks for suggestions from the audience so he can improvise a couple of tunes on the spot. Firstly we get a florid jazz version of “I do want to be beside the seaside”, which has plenty of humour in it, making the gathering laugh in several places and finally for the recital an infusion of folk and tango. Both pieces have a wonderful spontaneity and verve and are well greeted by the throng.

Yuanfan Yang is obviously a musician at the height of his powers. The notes seem to come effortlessly and seem to be played by the gentle compression of air rather than human fingers. His playing is divine, equal to the setting, and the programme of music is triumphantly greeted by the Festival audience. Well worth a watch and a listen.

Reviewed On 10th May

The Reviews Hub Score

Divinely played piano

Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button
The Reviews Hub