Mia Huang Piano at Ten

Concert review

Date: Saturday, 5th October, 2013 10:00am

Venue: Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Bundanoon
The Artist: Mia Huang, piano.
The Program:
1. J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor, No.14 from Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2
2. Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata in E flat major, Op.81a ('Les Adieux')
3. Robert Schumann Aufschwung, No.2 from Fantasiestücke
4. Clara-Wieck Schumann |Notturno, No.2 from Soirées Musicales
5. Chopin Ballade in A flat major, No.3
6. Debussy L'Isle Joyeuse

Reviewer: Neil Mitchell

From the Programme Notes:
“Mia Huang began her piano studies at the age of 4 when she was in China. She moved to Canberra in 2007 and learnt piano with Joan Breen. She began her studies with Wendy Lorenz in 2009 and was the winner of the Janice Battisson Memorial Award piano
competition (12-14 age group) in 2010. She has been actively participating in the National Eisteddfod Piano Competition since 2007 and has won 8 first places and several other prizes. Mia completed her A.Mus.A in 2011 at the age of 15 and L. Mus. A in September 2013 at the age of 17.”
From these notes it will be obvious that Ms Huang is both prodigiously talented and very hard working. She has achieved her L. Mus. A. before leaving high school. Her teacher is one of this country’s most eminent musicians.

Reviewer’s comments:
The concert was held before a large audience (ca. 80 persons) on a mild, calm and sunny day. The audience was appreciative – this concert was Mia’s second in Bundanoon.
As to the programme, some comments are made:
All of the pieces performed were well within Ms Huang’s grasp.

Ms Huang opened the recital with a Bach Preluse and Fugue which she played with crystalline clarity. The fuge was well paced and the voices well phrased.
The highlight of the programme was probably the Beethoven sonata. It was played briskly and elegantly. Ms Huang did not fall into the trap of over sentimentalising the work but played it with clarity and conviction. A highly satisfying performance by any standard.
The Chopin was play with great sensitivity and fine phrasing. In the more lively sections Ms Huang unleashed her outstanding technique to make them clear and exciting.
Miss Huang expressed a liking for the music of Clara Wieck-Schumann. The example played leant towards Chopin in style whereas other pieces of Clara Wieck seem closer to Robert Schumann or even anticipate Brahms (e.g. use of a ‘cello in the slow movement of her piano concerto) . It was therefore a good choice of programmatic sequencing to place it between Robert Schumann and Chopin. Clara Wieck’s music is not heard at all often and it deserves to be played. In her perforamne of this Notturno, Ms Huang was a fine advocate for Clara Wieck-Schumann.
L'Isle Joyeuse was played with the necessary dynamic range and attention to detail to reveal the sparkle and crashing of waves that seem to be implied in the work but not at the expense of coherence.
General Comments: The artist was well-prepared and was more than equal to the demands of the program. She played without musical scores. The selection of pieces placed varying demands on her technique, which though judicious application, served the music and not used to amaze or show off the performer. Of particular note was Ms Huang’s musical development over the past year. It is clear that she is developing into an outstanding musician. Through her fine phrasing and appropriate use of tone colour, Mia shows the influence of her exceptional teacher, Wendy Lorenz. Ms Huang was gracious in her comments to the audience.
It is hoped that Ms Huang will be able to balance music against the many other demands on her time over the next two years. One can only wish her well for her future as a musician and hope that she will again visit Bundanoon.