Melnikov the Magnificent: Schumann, Scriabin and Shostakovich at the Festival de Lanaudière

By Robert Markow, 20 July 2012

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Reviewed at Église de St-Paul-de-Joliette, Joliette on 17 July 2012

Schumann, Études symphoniques, Op.13

Scriabin, Poème in F sharp major, Op.32 no.1

Scriabin, Poème in D major, Op.32 no.2

Scriabin, Fantasie in B minor, Op.28

Shostakovich, 24 Preludes and Fugues for piano, Op.87 (Nos 1-12)

Alexander Melnikov, Piano

Bach sheds light in an impressively dark outing from the ACO

Nick Boston, 21st March

Energetic commitment from the ACO at the Barbican, with precision and edge from Alexander Melnikov and Jeroen Berwaerts in an evening of darkness and light.

****1

Energetic Scottish Symphony lifts a weighty evening with the LPO

Nick Boston, 20th January

Ponomarchuk and the LPO raise the spirits in Felix Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony after an underwhelming first half at the Brighton Dome.

***11

Aimez-vous Rachmaninov? Alexander Melnikov at Musikfest Berlin

Elena Luporini, 27th August

Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov is joined on stage at the Philharmonie by Alexander Rudin, Nadezhda Pavlova and Olga Pashchenko to give the audience a taste of Rachmaninov's chamber repertoire.

****1

Mixed performances in Ligeti and Mozart from Les Siècles

David Truslove, 20th August

Three concertos and a symphony made for an unusual but generous programme, but Les Siècles illustrate that versatility can come with mixed blessings.

***11

Prom 19: From dawn to death with Thomas Dausgaard and the BBCSSO

Leighton Jones, 2nd August

Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra fills the Royal Albert Hall, while Schumann’s piano concerto is followed by MacMillan’s masterpiece The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.

****1

Melnikov and Staier bring intimacy and fresh edge to Schubert

Nick Boston, 10th January

Alexander Melnikov and Andreas Staier's sensitive and insightful performances, combined with the fortepiano's freshness and added edge, make for a special evening of Schubert.

*****

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Robert Markow

Formerly a horn player in the Montreal Symphony, Robert Markow now writes programme notes for that orchestra and for many other musical organizations. He taught at Montreal’s McGill University for many years, has led music tours to several countries, and has written for numerous leading classical music journals.