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Paganini, Bach, Telemann

Beethoven, Debussy, Schonberg

Violinist Aisha Orazbayeva and pianist Matthew Schellhorn [L]
at a Pop-Up Circus Living Room Concert
Highbury/Islingtn London N 1, June 15th 2013

A demanding recital prior to a French tour, at an unannouced location, which turned out to be the delightful living room of a private home, its location only revealed upon booking !

After a Paganini warm-up to show her technical credentials, Aisha moved to the last and, for some of us, deepest of Beethoven's sonatas, well partnered by Schellhorn on a smallish Baldwin piano which sounded good in what had become a pleasing music room, its good acoustics helped by some sound-absorbing panels on the wall. There was seating for perhaps up to c.40, some of it on floor cushions.

Schoenberg's strange Fantasia, its violin part composed first, independent of the piano accompaniment (hear it from Menuhin & Gould !), is hard to love as against one of Telemann's. In that and a great Bach Partita Aisha demonstrated her command of non-vibrato period style.

All that and a fine account of Debussy's sonata; and to finish a memorable evening there were lavish refreshments brought by audience members to share... The organisers asked to be told of any other homes suitable for Pop-Up Circus Living Room Concerts ?

Aisha Orazbayeva's second solo album is promised, and it should be possible to catch a live broadcast 17-19 July on France Musique; recommended as well worth the effort !

Peter Grahame Woolf

Aisha playing Berio at Cafe Oto - Photo R [MusicalPointers]

Enjoy Aisha in a "nonclassical contemporary mixcloud compilation" with Sciarrino etc