Rachmaninov: Moments musicaux Op 16; Liszt: Vallée d’Obermann; La Leggerezza; Un sospiro; Prokofiev: Toccata in D minor, Op 11

EVELINA PUZAITE

Blackheath Halls 25 March 2013

An exceptional lunchtime recital by this young Lithuanian pianist giving her first solo recital at Blackheath Halls, 10 days before she makes her debut in Prague’s Rudolfinum, home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

Evelina Puzaite played with total command throughout and she is a joy to watch at the keyboard.

Rachmaninov’s Moments Musicaux demand considerable virtuosity as well as lyricism. Here was a pianist capable of both and, perhaps more important, of sharing with her audience the pleasure she takes in playing this music.

The emotion moved to a more intense level with Liszt’s Vallée d’Obermann - Liszt at his most deeply romantic. It was very moving.

The recital finished with an astonishing account of Prokofiev’s early Toccata in D Minor, one of the most difficult pieces in the piano repertoire. It brought a huge roar from the audience in the Great Hall at the end.

Tom Butler

The next lunchtime recital at Blackheath Halls will be on Monday 8 April at 1.10pm by the
Russian pianist Nika Shirocorad.

See also Evelina Puzaite at St Olave's in the City