Yevgeny Sudbin at Wigmore Hall

[rauschwerk]

I listened to the first half hour of this this in the car, but with good concentration as I was driving a quiet route I know well. I turned on just after the start (therefore at first I didn't know who was playing) to the worst Scarlatti playing I have ever heard - hobnail boots and over-pedalled. The Beethoven Bagatelles were just as bad - totally devoid of imagination and with extreme tempi. It reminded me of the way I used to bash through stuff unmercifully when I was 16 (and believe me, that was bad).

The opening of the Chopin was more promising. Did anyone else hear this broadcast?

[teamsaint]

I listened to the first half hour of this this in the car, but with good concentration as I was driving a quiet route I know well. I turned on just after the start (therefore at first I didn't know who was playing) to the worst Scarlatti playing I have ever heard - hobnail boots and over-pedalled. The Beethoven Bagatelles were just as bad - totally devoid of imagination and with extreme tempi. It reminded me of the way I used to bash through stuff unmercifully when I was 16 (and believe me, that was bad).

The opening of the Chopin was more promising. Did anyone else hear this broadcast?

Funnily, enough, I heard it under rather similar conditions to you, Rauschy.

I almost posted something like this last night, in response to Pianorak, who had flagged it up:

" What did you think , Pianorak? I wasn't at all convinced by the second Scarlatti Sonata, sounded a mess. and I wasn't grabbed by the Bagatelles......"
but I thought better of it, due to the double entendre !!!!!!!!!!


Anyway, suffice to say, I turned off half way through the Beethoven,and listened to the footy on five live for the rest of the journey home .

[Nick Armstrong]

I heard bits and pieces during a busy evening, mainly the last piece (Prok 7th sonata) and the encores (inc Scriabin 5th sonata... which I found interminable). Didn't feel I was concentrating enough to pass judgment, but I do know that the rather bitty programme didn't tempt me to go. I do know a discerning couple who were there in good seats so will hope for a report from the coal-face.

Hope yer bagatelles get better soon, teams!

[Pianorak]

. . . Anyway, suffice to say, I turned off half way through the Beethoven

Well, I am not surprised, although the Prokofiev was good, and the Scriabin encore outstanding - so quite glad I stayed the course. I heard him live a couple of years ago and must say I wasn't too impressed, although I usually feel that perhaps I wasn't in a receptive mood - and give pianists the benefit of the doubt.

Just noticed Caliban's: (inc Scriabin 5th sonata... which I found interminable). Well, it's a very generous encore! Reminds me of Anderszewski giving us u.a. Overture in the French style, BWV 831 as an encore at Wigmore Hall a few years ago. No complaints!

[Nick Armstrong]

Just noticed Caliban's: (inc Scriabin 5th sonata... which I found interminable). Well, it's a very generous encore!

Yes, not quibbling about encore generosity! Just wasn't in the mood or place for it. And anyway, in a sense it made up for a light first half - I tuned in at 20:06 and caught the applause before the interval. Shortish measure in that respect, imho...

[Lento]

Sounds like I heard the best half!

[BBMmk2]

Judging from the posts above, I am glad I didn't hear this concert! Mind you Wednesday is a busy evening for me. School orchestra - brass and percussion sectional! :)Opening up with the Opening from Zarathustra(which the percussionist quite enjoyed!

[richardfinegold]

I have several of Sudbin's recordings which I quite enjoy so this is a disappointing thread for me.

[Nick Armstrong]

I have several of Sudbin's recordings which I quite enjoy so this is a disappointing thread for me.

I too have several of his recordings - they are wonderful (the Rachmaninov Sonata and Chopin Variations in particular). Not sure what happened at this recital... although I had two friends there who reported "Sudbin's concert was shortened, although we got the Scriabin sonata, as an encore. He was amazingly animated and on good form."

It doesn't seem to have been reviewed anywhere publicly, strange to say.

[Pianoman]

I like Sudbin very much on disc, but he was terribly disappointing at Huddersfield Monday evening concerts earlier in the year, short programme, lacklustre playing, didn't seem that interested to be honest. Poor value that night.

[Rolmill]

I like Sudbin very much on disc, but he was terribly disappointing at Huddersfield Monday evening concerts earlier in the year, short programme, lacklustre playing, didn't seem that interested to be honest. Poor value that night.

Yes, he came to Tunbridge Wells to play with the local symphony orchestra a few years ago (Shostakovich 2) and gave a disappointingly uninterested and uninteresting performance - seemed to be pretty much sight-reading. Put me off him completely, so I don't have any of his recordings and would not go out of my way to see him in concert again. A shame, given the excellent reviews his CDs usually receive, but first impressions tend to linger unfortunately.

[Tony Halstead]

Yes, he came to Tunbridge Wells to play with the local symphony orchestra a few years ago (Shostakovich 2) and gave a disappointingly uninterested and uninteresting performance - seemed to be pretty much sight-reading. Put me off him completely, so I don't have any of his recordings and would not go out of my way to see him in concert again. A shame, given the excellent reviews his CDs usually receive, but first impressions tend to linger unfortunately.

Hmmm... how could he possibly have plumbed the depths of profundity in what is after all a disappointingly uninteresting piece ( rare in the Shostakovich ouevre?)

[amateur51]

I've encountered him a couple of times at Royal Academy of Music in London giving piano masterclasses with students. He is a very careful, thoughtful critic, offering practical solutions where there are problems.

I must listen to this programme that I very nearly got to.

[Rolmill]

Hmmm... how could he possibly have plumbed the depths of profundity in what is after all a disappointingly uninteresting piece ( rare in the Shostakovich ouevre?)

Well, I wasn't necessarily expecting profundity, but a degree of commitment would have been nice - his clear lack of interest seemed discourteous to the paying audience (and to the orchestra). I was by no means the only person to comment on it afterwards.

Moreover, I doubt he was forced by the (semi-pro) orchestra to play a piece he didn't know or like, so I don't see that as an excuse available to him for such an apparently unprofessional approach. Anyway, I like Dmitri's 2nd P C, slight though it is, which is why I felt rather short-changed!