Review
Eva Pintér
The virtuoso's art
The
The Russian pianist Yuri Rozum imparted such a feeling to his audience,
who had packed the broadcasting studio of Radio Bremen: During the very first
piece, the three-part "Venezia e Napoli" from
the second volume ("Italia") of "Années
de pèlerinage" by Franz Liszt, it was easy to
become entranced by Rozum's powerful and yet sonorous touch, not to mention his
cantabile melodic lines in the first part ("Gondoliera")
and his breathtaking technique in the "Tarantella". That Yuri Rozum is
not only a genuine virtuoso, but also has an intimate knowledge of the piano
style characteristic of Franz Liszt, was clearly brought to light by the other
two works occupying the first concert half (Rozum played practically without a
pause, weaving the contrasting moods of tragic melancholy and playful dance
into his repertoire): At the same time, in the intense "Funérailles" as
well as the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6, he not only emphasized the virtuoso
traits, but also succeeded in highlighting the harmonious and rhythmic refinement
of these compositions.
In the six movements from the "Seasons" by Pyotr
Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Rozum painted a finely
differentiated canvas of summer and autumn moods: While lending especially
striking contours to the movement "September: The Hunt", he nevertheless
allowed "Troika" to emerge poignantly at the same time.
In the concluding four Préludes by Sergej Rachmaninov, the piano virtuoso came once more to
the fore. Even if a more intense crescendo would have been preferable to a climax
reached too quickly in the famous Prélude in g minor
(op. 23/5), Rozum's rendition was stunning in both its technical brilliance and
its striking effect.
After the "official" end, listeners were almost treated to a third
full performance: Yuri Rozum enthralled his audience with no less than five (!)
encores, including the enchantingly beautiful "Fantaisie
Impromptu" by Frédéric Chopin.