The organizer of the concert series "Enchanting Pianists", Eric Schoones, hit the nail on the head when he announced what Eliane Reyes and Sergeï Redkin would bring to the Cenakel in Tilburg: music that sounds very familiar to many ears but is nevertheless beautifully crafted.
That was certainly the case for the opening number, Schubert's Fantasy in f for piano four-hands. It's overplayed. And yet it captivated from the first notes onwards. Thanks to the unfathomable genius of Franz Schubert. But also thanks to the velvety yet clear touch of Eliane Reyes.
Seated on the right at the grand piano, she was of course responsible for the most striking melodic line. And that is an advantage, although Schubert would not be Schubert if he did not treat the two parts equally. Eliane had already performed this Fantasy alongside none other than Martha Argerich. Her place in Tilburg was taken by Sergeï Redkin. With the same virtuosic assurance with which he finished the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2021 in second place after the charming Jonathan Fournel, he matched every entry and thus created a delightful interplay. Even the repeated lightning-quick taps against his glasses could still be felt. A selection of Waltzes from Brahms' opus 39 and Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye delighted lovers of 'easy listening'. A spirited finale awaited. "Feria", the fourth movement of Ravel's "Rhapsodie Espagnole" brought pianistic fireworks.
A satisfied audience can look back on yet another series of "Enchanting Pianists". But, as organizer Schoones emphasized with all his expertise, only 2 percent of what exists in classical music is covered. A sobering finding that he drew from the previous "Enchanting Pianist", Cyprien Katsaris.
Lovers of music, there is still work to be done!
- WHAT: piano recital in the Enchanting Pianists series
- WHO: Eliane Reyes and Sergei Redkin
- WHERE & WHEN: Tilburg, 18.2.2024
- PHOTO: