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Edinburgh
International Festival 12th
August - 1st September 2001
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András Schiff - solo piano recital Mozart: Fantasia in C minor K475; Piano sonata in F K533; Rondo in A minor K511; Piano sonata in D K576; Piano sonata in C minor K457; Variations in G K455 Venue Usher Hall Address Lothian Road Edinburgh Reviewer Kenny Morrison It's great to see Schiff back where he belongs - on the concert platform and out of the pit. I've always liked his Mozart, and he really was on good form tonight. He coped with one of the noisiest audiences I have ever experienced: mobile phones, creaking doors, and one man seemed to be coughing his lungs right out. Schiff, in fact, did something that I wish more performers would do: got up between the slow movement and finale of the sonata in F, announced a break for coughing, and went off stage.  The
wonderfully dark Fantasia in C minor began the night's programme,
and Schiff played it with such self-assurance. It is sometimes difficult
to tell whether he is an arrogant or just extremely competent musician,
but in the end, his excellent playing shines through. He is not arrogant,
just lost in his own music.The prize tonight was the Sonata in D K576. I often find solo piano in a big hall like the Usher a little impersonal. Mozart, in particular, can be so playful that there is an argument to suggest that it is best played in small intimate venues. However, Schiff's Sonata in D maintained all of its intimacy. The finale in particular, one of those Mozart pieces which always reminds me of a cantankerous but very naughty old man was perfect! There was a piece of audience noise that I did approve of, and that came from an old man behind me at the end of this piece before applause. A sort of sigh of delight, which said it all really. Despite the appalling audience this was an extremely enjoyable concert. Schiff is definitely at his best playing what is ultimately traditional repertoire in this sort of situation and tonight was no exception © Kenny Morrison 23 August 2001
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