 | | Misha Fomin | Classical pianist |
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ENGAGING PIANO PERFORMANCES BY FOMIN AND SOKOLOV by Christo Lelie
(Review in dutch daily national newspaper TROUW)
Grigory Sokolov and Misha Fomin are russian concertpianists from different
generations. Sokolov is a mature and already well established and much
appreciated master pianist. The 33 year old Fomin is like other russian
born talented musicians persueing a career in The Netherlands. Last sunday both
russians gave a recital at the Concertgebouw.
For Misha Fomin it was his second performance at the Concertgebouw, offering a
technically exeptionnaly demanding programme, with the 24 Etudes opus 10 and
opus 25 by Frederic Chopin being the centre pieces alongside work by Brahms
and Liszt. The Chopin Etudes are amongst the most difficult pieces in the piano
repertoire and compulsory for advanced students at music colleges. They combine
exercises in virtuosity with an opportunity for displaying musical refinement.
In the achievement of both lies the secret of a fine performance. Not many pianists
dare play all of the 24 Etudes by Chopin in a Concert hall.
Years ago Yuri Egorov who died when still very young achieved this with great succes in
Amsterdam. Technically Fomin's performance did not in any way fall short of Egorov's
achievement. His interpretation of Etude opus 10 nr. 4 was so overwhelming that
the audience gave him a spontaneous applause. The lyrical etude opus 25. nr. 7
and the spectacle of the last two etudes also made a lasting impression. Even so
and with all respect for his wonderful performance Fomin's playing would benefit
from a little more finesse and lighter touch.
His abiltiy to achieve these is beyond doubt as was amply demonstrated by his
interpretation of Liszt's 'La Campanella', his second 'encore' and the most memorable
performance of his recital................................................
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