There was another welcome return at last Saturday’s West Wight Arts concert by the young Italian pianist, Giuseppe Guarrera. It is almost impossible to find enough superlatives for his playing.
His technique is so flawless and assured that he needs it only as a basis to then produce magnificent interpretative music of clarity, authority, sensitivity and panache.
Epic repertoire
Giuseppe’s repertoire was epic, ranging from Scarlatti to Liszt via Beethoven and Wagner. The stars must have aligned in the year 1685 as it was the birth year of Bach, Handel and Domenico Scarlatti.
He chose two of the 555 sonatas of Scarlatti and immediately showed both his technique and ability to play with speed and delicacy and also poignancy. He then played Handel’s Suite in F major which requires every pianistic dynamic.
Even more dramatic and challenging works
His programme then moved on to even more dramatic and challenging works. First, Beethoven’s sonata Les Adieux written for his sponsor, friend and pupil Archduke Rudolph which moves from slow and introspective to very fast with lots of turns and trills.
Another bravura performance by Giuseppe; the demands of his playing never seem to make him grow tired but instead they drive him on.
Schumann’s Phantasiestucke
Schumann’s Phantasiestucke was next. This composer was a true romantic and his works require every ounce of technique available to the pianist.
It is in eight pieces and although Schumann never saw it as a set it was fascinating to hear it as a whole.
Phenomenal closing pieces
Giuseppe’s last two pieces were phenomenal. First Liszt’s transcription of his son in law Wagner’s Isoldes Liebestod. This was composed as a mighty orchestral work but under this pianist’s hands it lost none of its might or drama and only the truly virtuosic should attempt it.
He concluded his concert with Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No 1 and what an ending. Speed, drama, delicacy and every dynamic the piano could produce. It was a privilege to hear this artist.
Review written by Jackie Warner on behalf of West Wight Arts Association. Ed
