An Evening of Folk Transformation and Elgar
Pianist Piers Lane and a collective of musicians performed a program of classical and British chamber music at Shalin Liu, featuring works by Schubert, Holst, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Clarke, Hughes, and Elgar. According to reviewer Julie Ingelfinger, the event centered on the “rich traditions of British music” and utilized a Hamburg Steinway D piano.
What works were performed during the concert?
The program opened with the Schubert Fantasie in F Minor (D940), performed by Piers Lane and Michael Stephen Brown. Ingelfinger noted that while the work is not English, it was extremely popular in Great Britain during Schubert’s lifetime.
Toronto-based soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, violinist Danbi Um, and Lane then performed a series of folk adaptations. These included Holst’s Four Songs for Violin and Voice, Britten’s “The trees they grow so high,” and Vaughan Williams’s “Silent Noon from the House of Life.”
The set also featured Rebecca Clarke’s 1922 composition “The Seal Man,” based on a John Masefield poem, and a concluding piece by Herbert Hughes titled “I have a bonnet trimmed with blue.”
How was the Elgar Piano Quintet presented?
The concert concluded with Elgar’s Piano Quintet in A Minor (1918-19). The performance featured Piers Lane on piano, Danbi Um and Aaron Boyd on violin, Barry Shiffman on viola, and Nicholas Canellakis on cello.
Ingelfinger reported that the ensemble captured the “ghostly mood” described by Elgar. The performance transitioned from Gregorian chant-like melodies and dark forms to moments of exuberance and a triumphant coda.
What was the significance of the venue’s instrument?
Piers Lane stated he was greatly satisfied with the Hamburg Steinway D used during the performance. Lane had co-recommended this specific piano for the Shalin Liu venue.
The instrument supported the “reverberant, thrashing transport” required for the Elgar Quintet. According to Ingelfinger, the choice of piano appeared to meet the expectations of both the performer and the audience.
What may happen next for the venue?
Given the stated satisfaction of the performing artist and the audience, Shalin Liu may continue to rely on the Hamburg Steinway D for high-profile chamber music events. Future programming could potentially focus on similar blends of folk adaptations and classical quintets to attract similar audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which musicians performed the Elgar Piano Quintet?
The piece was performed by pianist Piers Lane, violinists Danbi Um and Aaron Boyd, violist Barry Shiffman, and cellist Nicholas Canellakis.
What is the subject of Britten’s “The trees they grow so high”?
The piece is based on an English folksong concerning the arranged marriage of a woman to a powerful lord’s young son, who tragically dies in his late teens.
Who wrote the poem used in Rebecca Clarke’s “The Seal Man”?
The song, written in 1922, is set to a poem by John Masefield.
Do you believe the choice of a specific instrument, such as a Hamburg Steinway D, significantly alters the audience’s perception of a classical performance?