REFINEMENT AN OUTSTANDING FEATURE OF PIANIST MISHA FOMIN'S PERFORMANCE

Pianist Misha Fomin with work by Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Tsjaikovski and
Prokofief. Recital at Geldrop Castle on sunday 10th march 2002. Geldrop is near
Eindhoven in The Netherlands.
Review by Marjolijn Sengers in 'Eindhovens Dagblad', a regional newspaper.


The name of Misha Fomin is still relatively unknown in The Netherlands. Fomin
is a russian born pianist who only recently completed his classes with Jan Wijn,
and who is now persuing a musical carreer in our country. It was the good for-
tune of Geldrop Caslte to have such a talented pianist giving such a magnificent
recital in a relatively small space. Once his obvious talent is more widely re-
cognised and fully appreciated, Misha Fomin is unlikely to return to such a small
auditorium. As a talented pianist with a natural gift for musical expression, I expect
this to happen sooner rather than later. His manner of playing is on the
whole rather lyrical. His touch is remarkebly well balanced and refined, always
mesured, but never wanting should a forceful hand be required.
This sunday afternoon in Geldrop the outstanding feature of his performance was
refinement. Refinement was most apparent in his interpretation of such pieces as
'Les cloches de Geneve' and 'Les jeux d'eau a la villa d'Este' by Franz liszt,
requiring lyrical expression as much as near impressionistisc clarity. Refine-
ment was also the main feature of his interpretation of 'Hungarian Rapsody' by
the same composer, requiring techical skill and virtuosity in equal mesure.
The Ètudes by Chopin were performed with due self-disciplin, notwithstanding a
genuine display of romantic sentiment. 'Meditation' by Tsjaikovski en 'Legende
and Scherzo' op. 12 by Prokofief were succesfully performed bringing out the flair and
temperament of this russian born pianist.
Fomin's timing is near perfection, the balance between technical excellence and
emotional expression nearly optimal. His control over the instument is such that
his succes is ultimately due to his ability to do justice to the music for music's
sake. It was obivous that many in the audience did appreciate this: seldom did I
see so many listen with their eyes closed in order to fully enjoy and take in
the music.