On May 29, 2015, at Hanoi Opera House, the 19th Hennessy Concert Seriesonce again captured the hearts and minds of chamber music audiences bythe soulful duet of violist and pianist - Stefan Jackiw and AnnaPolonsky.
With message about the journey fromdarkness and pain to light and hope, the music programme included fourmasterpieces that are imprinted with the style of contemporary chambermusic.
The concert opened with Tzigane by MauriceRavel. The rhapsody with strong feelings is the warm greetings of thetwo artists to Vietnamese audience. By choosing a skillful work as thefirst performance, Stefan Jackiw made listeners spellbound to his guitarsound. He conveyed a very clear idea of crazy gypsy sprit with richemotional nuance by his prowess in handling the work.
It is not so easy for violist Stefan Jackiw to be recognized as themost outstanding representative of his generation. While enjoying hisperformance, the audience can feel that although his musical performancetechnique has reached a very high level, Stefan only sees performancetechnique as merely a tool. His violin’s sound goes far from the effectof technical skills, reaching a musical style that is blended betweenhighest emotional energy and strong music intelligence.
The second performance, also the keynote of this concert was themasterpiece Partita by Polish composer Witold Lutoslawki. This is notonly an important work of Lutoslawski but also a quintessentialclassical music piece of the twentieth century, which represented thecontemporary spirit and innovation.
The piececonsisted of five sections written with the typical improvisationalimpromptu technique of Lutoslawski. Although this piece was built uponthe model of three main parts connected with two semi-improvisationalfree parts, it had no long breaks between each section, thus, forming aflexible and lively music experience. Strong emotional and dramaticqualities are characteristics throughout the entire work.
To Stefan Jackiw, when the violin’s sound lifts up is when hecompletely immerses in the music world of his own. His performing stylebrings the full meaning of the figure: living in music!
Although only appearing as the companion of Stefan Jackiw, AnnaPolonsky remained a brightly indispensable half; her piano’s soundtouched the listeners deeply and passionately.
The intersection between the two artists was the innovative spirit,the exploration and understanding of each other’s musical thinking. Theyformed an ideal duo on both performing and enjoying aspect.
The hall completely drenched in the darkness, leaving the only lightfrom the small lamp that projected on the music sheet of the third piece– a serenade for solo violin by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho wrotein 1994 when she heard that a close friend – her mentor – the composerWitold Lutoslawki had died.
Though it is a shortwork written on the substance of a concerto for violin, the music stillhas a strong impact when performing. The music conveys a deep sadness,the loss seems irreparable. These chords are playing very slowly withthe high notes sound like choking attracting all the senses of theaudience in a very dim light filled in the dark stage.
In endlessly applause from the audience after the end of the fourthpiece, the two artists had returned to the stage to play a short piecethat was not on the original programme - the Méditation of the operaThais by composer Jules Massenet. The deep, melodic but extremelydelicate tone gave a very satisfied yet nostalgia ending to Hanoiaudience.
Hennessy Concert Series 19th againmarked another successful season of this prestigious art series. StefanJackiw and Anna Polonsky not only bring Vietnamese chamber music fans anextraordinary music night but also a valuable opportunity to exploreclassical music and leading artists of contemporary classical music.Inspirational reflections were made on the continued developments thatcreate the strong vitality of classical music today.-VNA
With message about the journey fromdarkness and pain to light and hope, the music programme included fourmasterpieces that are imprinted with the style of contemporary chambermusic.
The concert opened with Tzigane by MauriceRavel. The rhapsody with strong feelings is the warm greetings of thetwo artists to Vietnamese audience. By choosing a skillful work as thefirst performance, Stefan Jackiw made listeners spellbound to his guitarsound. He conveyed a very clear idea of crazy gypsy sprit with richemotional nuance by his prowess in handling the work.
It is not so easy for violist Stefan Jackiw to be recognized as themost outstanding representative of his generation. While enjoying hisperformance, the audience can feel that although his musical performancetechnique has reached a very high level, Stefan only sees performancetechnique as merely a tool. His violin’s sound goes far from the effectof technical skills, reaching a musical style that is blended betweenhighest emotional energy and strong music intelligence.
The second performance, also the keynote of this concert was themasterpiece Partita by Polish composer Witold Lutoslawki. This is notonly an important work of Lutoslawski but also a quintessentialclassical music piece of the twentieth century, which represented thecontemporary spirit and innovation.
The piececonsisted of five sections written with the typical improvisationalimpromptu technique of Lutoslawski. Although this piece was built uponthe model of three main parts connected with two semi-improvisationalfree parts, it had no long breaks between each section, thus, forming aflexible and lively music experience. Strong emotional and dramaticqualities are characteristics throughout the entire work.
To Stefan Jackiw, when the violin’s sound lifts up is when hecompletely immerses in the music world of his own. His performing stylebrings the full meaning of the figure: living in music!
Although only appearing as the companion of Stefan Jackiw, AnnaPolonsky remained a brightly indispensable half; her piano’s soundtouched the listeners deeply and passionately.
The intersection between the two artists was the innovative spirit,the exploration and understanding of each other’s musical thinking. Theyformed an ideal duo on both performing and enjoying aspect.
The hall completely drenched in the darkness, leaving the only lightfrom the small lamp that projected on the music sheet of the third piece– a serenade for solo violin by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho wrotein 1994 when she heard that a close friend – her mentor – the composerWitold Lutoslawki had died.
Though it is a shortwork written on the substance of a concerto for violin, the music stillhas a strong impact when performing. The music conveys a deep sadness,the loss seems irreparable. These chords are playing very slowly withthe high notes sound like choking attracting all the senses of theaudience in a very dim light filled in the dark stage.
In endlessly applause from the audience after the end of the fourthpiece, the two artists had returned to the stage to play a short piecethat was not on the original programme - the Méditation of the operaThais by composer Jules Massenet. The deep, melodic but extremelydelicate tone gave a very satisfied yet nostalgia ending to Hanoiaudience.
Hennessy Concert Series 19th againmarked another successful season of this prestigious art series. StefanJackiw and Anna Polonsky not only bring Vietnamese chamber music fans anextraordinary music night but also a valuable opportunity to exploreclassical music and leading artists of contemporary classical music.Inspirational reflections were made on the continued developments thatcreate the strong vitality of classical music today.-VNA
