On Zach's birthday last Sunday I didn't let him have his present right away. Instead, in his card I jumbled up the letters of the following words "Philharmonia Symphony: Ashkanazy Conducts Rachmaninoff." You see, Zach likes a challenge, especially with word games, and I thought that this would prove to be at least a small challenge. Wow was I wrong. The little stinker sat down with relish and solved all five words in a few moments. Really? Ashkenazy and Rachmaninoff are that evident?
Backing up a bit, Vladimir Ashkenazy is a world-renowned Russian pianist who began conducting in the latter part of his career. My heart skipped a beat when I found out he was conducting in Paris a week after Zach's birthday...so perfect.
So we dusted off our nice clothes and hopped over to the Theatre de Champes Elysees yesterday afternoon for a very memorable performance. Ashkenazy conducted London's Philharmonia Orchestra as they played Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto number 3 and Symphony number 2. We had previously found out that the third piano concerto is rarely heard in concert. The sheer difficulty of the piece intimidates most pianists. Even the pianist that Rachmaninoff wrote it for never attempted it! Needless to say the pianist we saw, Nikolai Lugansky, was exceptional.
Perched up way high in our box seats, we were well placed to see the pianist's hands. Lugansky played with stunning ease and stability, even through the extremely complex segments when he would momentarily rise from his bench to make the reaches that were required. This song was evidently embedded in his soul. From the conductor's stand, Ashkenazy deftly led the orchestra with such passion that he frequently had to wipe the sweat from his face. He was so clearly enjoying every second as were we. The Symphony number 2 that followed was also beautiful, and we left inspired and fully grateful for the opportunity to hear and see such excellent music played.
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