Fifteen teenagers between 13 and 19 years old performed as soloists during the first concert of the academic year at the unique Musica Mundi School for highly gifted talents in Waterloo. Thanks to this school, Napoleon's battlefield is being partially transformed into a worldwide peace zone. This is more than necessary these days…
Each student who performed during the concert on 24 October actually deserves a review in themselves. That is hardly feasible, and this means we discuss the fifteen students in telegraphic style, hoping to highlight the essence of their abilities. All 15 surpass mediocrity, and anyone who would listen with their eyes closed, without knowing they are still teenagers, would be convinced they are hearing professional, experienced musicians at work.
The talents – this year there are 53 of them – who come from 25 countries, some from the age of 12 and remain until they are 18/19 (the final year of secondary school) are selected via auditions. During a number of concerts, both within and outside the school, they are offered platform opportunities for the general public. Among that public, a critic from Klassiek Centraal occasionally finds themselves…
15 mature musicians awaken wonder and enthusiasm
In order of performance, we review the various musicians.
- Can Sakkaoglu (16 - Turkey) - piano: Papillons op.2, R. Schumann
A controlled, mature performance, broad spectrum, delightful 'touch'. He reaches the listener.
- Anna Cicchino (13 – Italy) – cello: Polonaise de concert op. 14, D. Popper
Virtuosic through and through, energetic to tempestuous, firm bowing, also finesse. Very promising!
- Artemii Argamakov (15 – Russia/Israel) – guitar: Prelude nr 1, H. Villa-Lobos
What a sense of calm this guitarist radiates. The guitar is a 'quiet' instrument and so he plays with sound amplification.
- Jan Calabuig Sans (17 – Spain) – violin: Violin Concerto 4, 3rd movement by W.A. Mozart
A solid violinist, knows his instrument through and through, could phrase and sing a bit more.
- Raphaël Murphy (18 - Belgium) – viola: Violin Sonata movements 1 & 2, P. Hindemith
Technically strong, perfect interpretation, unfortunately not the piece to judge pure musicality
- Delphine Palumbo (17- Netherlands) – harp: La danse des sylphes, F. Godefroid
Delightful, you hear and see the sylphs dance, float, dart, seduce. Can anyone perform this better?
- Richard Raid (14 – Russia) – piano: 32 Variations WoO 80, L.V. Beethoven
It is dual music and this boy brings that out. He lets you listen to strong dialogues and gentleness where it belongs. Mature for his young age.
- Wout Callens (15 – Belgium) – violin: Violin Concerto nr. 1, E.W. Korngold
Short and forceful: this will be (is already?) a repertoire violinist.
- Benjamin Cohen (17 – France/Great Britain) – cello: Silent Woods, A. Dvořák
A man of feeling, that is what this cellist is. The work seems written for him.
- Ilayada Afsar (17 – Turkey) – oboe: Oboe Concerto in c nr. 1, 1st movement, Mozart
Erudite, serious, a bit more 'opera' could still work. A true lady who plays. Beautiful.
- Defne Gungor (15 – Turkey) – violin: Poême élégiaque, E. Ysaye
Great understanding of the melancholic story, the prayer. So young – what is 15? – and to bring such insight…
- Dobromir Dobrev (19 – Bulgaria) – piano: Sonata 109, movements 1 & 2, Beethoven
This is the perfect concert pianist. Put him on the international stages with a full symphony orchestra. That is where he belongs.
- Misato Mizuno (16 – Japan/Australia) – violin: Fantasia on La Traviata, A. Bazzini
Apart from a few beauty and interpretation flaws: very promising. A full violin sound reveals that she has a lot of baggage.
- Valentin Bouchard (15 – France) – piano: Ballade nr. 2, S171, F. Liszt
Convincing, everything is told in the right colors, although it could be a bit more refined where needed. A strongly evolving concert pianist in the making.
- Sophie Dekeyser (15 – Belgium) – violin: Violin Sonata nr. 3, J.M. Leclair
The first bow stroke and notes convey: I am accomplished… This is pure violin, very pure in attack, bowing, tone. Broad musical palette, virtuosic.
If you are curious about the quality of what is on offer and want to convince yourself to be there next time, we provide the recording of the concert, which can be listened to via YouTube.
Musica Mundi School Concert Calendar
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGfQ1QV1kpU[/embed]