Ben Adler and Jeanell Carrigan - Piano at 10, April 12

Piano at 10 12th April, 2014

Ben Adler (violin)
Jeanell Carrigan (piano)

Programme:

Violin Sonata No 1 – Robert Schumann
Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue from Partita in d min. - J.S.Bach
5 Melodies – Sergei Prokofiev
Nigun – Josef Bloch
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso - Camille Saint Saens.
Encore: Czardas – Vittorio Monti (probably arr. Adler)

This Piano at 10 recital attracted an audience of about 90 people.

Due to a cancellation by the advertised artists, Ben Adler and Jeanell Carrigan kindly agreed to fill the vacancy in the Arts Bundanoon programme.

At very short notice these two artists presented a wide ranging programme that had something to please everyone – and that is exactly what happened – everyone was pleased.

The Schumann sonata demands much from the performers and it is a difficult item with which to open a programme – there is no chance to “warm up”. Both artists made light of the technical demands and the turbulent first movement went its dark, moody way. Ben’s rich tone was balanced by firm and accurate piano playing. It was clear that both artists were enjoying passing themes back and forward. Although dark in colour, the opening movement was superbly played with excellent ensemble and tone colour. The light smattering of applause at the end of the first movement showed that the audience knew they were hearing something special.
In the middle movement, the artists presented all the sweet wistfulness and sudden changes in mood that Schumann intended. Ben’s short trills were a marvel and the movement was accurately played by both with a fine sense of pace and phrasing.
The hectic finale – a sort of Mendelssohnian moto perpetuo showed the artists’ ensemble to be first rate. We were treated to a fine display of well controlled spiccato bowing balanced by fine staccato from the piano. The sense of pace was so well controlled that the work developed an overwhelming sense of forward momentum without losing clarity.

Bach was represented by four movements from the Partita in d minor for unaccompanied violin. Each movement was played with sensitivity, and stylish phrasing. Unlike many violinists, Ben did not fall into the trap of stretching the timing so as to result in an over romanticised reading. We were treated to modest tempo changes but always in keeping with the mood and flow of the music. If I were forced to find any fault it was that, in my opinion, the Courante was played a little too fast for my taste. However, one could not fault the phrasing of stately Sarabande nor the jaunty Gigue that followed.

From the masterly world of Bach, we then passed to the lesser known world of the lyrical Prokofiev. All five pieces were played with disconcerting ease, rich tone and great insight.

The Nigun received a passionate reading and the few, minor intonation difficulties did not detract in the slightest from the impact that this piece made on the audience. The firm octaves and difficult chordal sections were breathtaking. It was a full blooded performance with rich sound and a myriad of colours amply supported by Jeanell’s superb piano playing.

Saint Saen’s Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso as a final item was an inspired choice. Personally, I found it a very satisfying performance. It is clear that Ben had read and understood the meaning of the title. This was no metronomic performance but one with just enough capriciousness to make it stand out from the many “work-a-day” performances I have heard. After the limpid Introduction, his performance romped along with sparkling sound and the instant following the final A major chord, his performance elicited cheers from the Bundanoon audience.

For an encore, the audience were treated to a decorated arrangement of Monti’s Czardas presented in a “playing to the gallery” Gypsy fiddler style. A better choice could not have been made.

Ben proved himself at this recital to be a fine musician. Whilst not yet in possession of a virtuoso technique, his facility is firm and well trained – especially his bow arm. Although all the works presented today are technically very demanding, all were well within his technical facility. So, any transient difficulties were not due to poor technique but the myriad external influences that affect any live performance.

Ben has excellent intonation and subsequently a rich, vibrant personal tone that projects well without sounding forced. But what was more noticeable to me was his musicianship. Whatever imperfections (and there weren’t many) may have been in the recital today, the listener was never left in doubt of his musical abilities, integrity and insight.

Speaking as a fellow violinist, I found Ben’s performance deeply satisfying and so did the audience. His engaging stage demeanour charmed the audience who quickly connected with his obvious skill and joy in making music. He is a person with a bright future who, although already playing at a high level, will get even better. I share with the Bundanoon audience, a great desire to see Ben in the 2015 Arts Bundanoon calendar. His is a career well worth following.

Jeanell Carrigan was everything that a soloist would want from an associate artist and her contribution to the recital cannot be underestimated. Rock solid technique is combined with the sensitivity to ensure fine ensemble. In the Schumann sonata and Prokofiev pieces, she was the equal partner whose musicianship was never in doubt. In the other pieces, where the writing gave prominence to the violin, Jeanell’s playing was sensitive and supporting. One was left with the comforting sense that she was equal to any situation.

Greg Slater