Franz Liszt was the protagonist of the first half of the closing event of the Romanian Liszt Bicentennial at the Athenaeum. Under the direction of Josef I. Prunner, the orchestra paid tribute to Liszt’s dynamic nature by spectacular crescendos in Tasso’s symphonic poem as well as during the Piano Concerto in A major.

The other center of attention was Tamás Érdi, a leading personality in Hungarian piano performance art, who, despite his young age, presented a sensitive and at the same extremely exciting experience to his audience.

Érdi realised the duality of the theme of the piece with a fantastic performance. He illustrated the diverse and intricate variations of Romanticism by sensitive, intimate and lyrical meditation. Not did at the same time, his presentation neglect momentum or ecstasy.

‘The life and adventures of a melody’, the subtitle critics gave Liszt’s piano concerto, was interpreted by the artist with incredible feeling. He worked his way elegantly and with an exceptional ease from virtuosity to the lyrical parts and vice versa. He kept the unique, intricate, powerful and emotionally intense composition in hand by the velvety touch of notes.

As an encore, Tamás Érdi performed the Consolation in D-flat minor in an overwhelming manner. Conductor Josef I. Prunner was an appropriate partner for the pianist and their joint playing proved right that there was no better partnership than the conductor being the master of the instrument he directs from the pulpit with orchestral accompaniment.

(Carina Bura’s critique published in the February 2012 issue of ACTUALITATEA MUZICALĂ in Bucharest)