Tamas Vesmas in Alexandria

After a long inner struggle that had to do with the really bad weather, I finally decided I should take the risk and attend the piano recital. Mr. Tamas Vesmas was to play a pretty program that comprises Haydn, Chopin and Brahms. It was a cold night, but there were some keen audience there. The number was not too big though, and the setting was intimate, even allowing the pianist to converse here and there with the audience. The soloist entered and thanked the audience for their eagerness to attend in such bad weather.

The program started with the Haydn piano sonatas, and what Haydn!! Mr. Vesmas's Haydn is probably the best Haydn I have heard live, probably only equaled by Brendel on disc. His ability to show off Haydn's charm, wit and playful little melodies was splendid. The lines were crystal clear and the phrasing cannot be more sensible. His touch was strong and confident and the technique was dazzling, the repeats were never boring due to his particular treatment of the bass. This is Haydn that is worthy of a recording contract no doubt. It seems that Mr. Vesmas has a natural affinity with Haydn.

The soloist then asked the audience if he would switch the Chopin impromptus with the Brahms; so that he leaves the Chopin to the end of the recital. Evidently, with a bit of exchanged laughter, the audience did not seem to mind at all and encouraged the soloist to proceed.

Mr. Vesmas then started to tell the audience how through these works Brahms expressed his Platonic love to Clara Schumann, and then he proceeded. His Brahms was romantic and highly charged but I could sense the Classical restraint; exactly as I think Brahms should be played.

The next on the program was the four Impromptus by Frederic Chopin. The soloist made a very good effort with the works, albeit showing some restraint, probably left over from the previous works on the program; He even succeeded in pulling a few Bravos from the audience in the second Impromptu, which was brilliant. The only downside was the finale, with the Fantasie Impromptu Op.66; which I found somewhat confined and lacked the extra flair and flamboyance one would expect.

At the end, I am glad I decided to attend the concert after all; it was a delightful experience. And I shall never forget the Haydn!

Ahmed Bassiouny