Light and Shadows
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 Pastoral [26:13]
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Waldszenen, Op. 82 [22:46]
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35 Marche funčbre [22:55]
Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Narodil se Kristus Pán (Christ the Lord is born) [0:53]
Tom Poster (piano)
rec. 21-22 December 2014, Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, UK
EDITION CLASSICS EDN1060 [72:47]
It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to review
a solo disc by Tom Poster. Whilst we lived in Oxford I heard him play at several
concerts in the marvellous Sheldonian Theatre. The performance of Beethoven’s
Emperor was especially memorable and we hoped at the time that his
early promise would be fulfilled; this pleasingly diverse collection is ample
proof that it has been.
There are so many recordings of Beethoven’s piano sonatas and any newcomer
must face comparisons with the greats who’ve gone before. Right from
the start of the Pastoral any doubts disappear. This is quite simply
a lovely performance and I was moved by playing and the intimacy that Poster
conveys. He is undoubtedly helped by a very clear recording that captures
the, not always easy sound of the piano. The first movement is sublime and
I was particularly taken by the Andante, second movement, as the
theme develops. He brings out a kind of humour in the Scherzo which
is most effective. The Sonata is brought to an intensely satisfying conclusion
with the Rondo that, however many times one hears it, takes the listener
into another world. This would be an ideal recording for those who have never
been fortunate to hear it before and makes me look forward to more Beethoven
from this pianist.
Robert Schumann was much influenced by Beethoven, so it seems highly appropriate
to have one of his works next in this recital. Waldszenen, which
conveys Schumann’s romantic view of the forest is not, as Tom Poster
comments in his very good notes, one of the composer’s most performed
works but it receives a fine performance here. There are certain similarities
to the far more popular Kinderszenen but these “Forest Scenes”
are, if possible, more personal. The episodes vary from the stormy to the
dreamlike and take us into a special world. I am always aware of a sense of
pathos with Schumann and there are certain moments when you feel the heart
of the composer exposed. As with the Beethoven, Poster is very much his own
man and there is no need for comparisons.
The qualities that are present in the first two pieces certainly manifest
themselves again in the Chopin Funeral March Sonata. The first two
movements are very successful and then we have the famous movement which here
is played with just the right amount of emotion; it is as if one is hearing
it for the first time. This is a triumph of a performance and I look forward
to hearing other Chopin works. The Janacek which concludes the recital is
lovely and surprised me by its brevity.
This is an excellent collection from and I look forward to hearing more from
Poster very soon. For those who like a mixed selection beautifully played.
David R Dunsmore
Previous review: Roy
Westbrook
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