Pianist Zsolt Bognár journeys home in concert

Featuring:

Zsolt Bognár, piano

Programme:

Franz Schubert

     Impromptu No. 4 in A-flat major, D935/Op. posth. 142

     Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946

          No. 1 in E-flat minor

          No. 2 in E-flat major

          No. 3 in C major

Edvard Grieg

     Selections from Lyric Pieces

         Arrieta from Book I, Op. 12, No. 1

         Butterfly from Book III, Op. 43, No. 1

         To Spring from Book III, Op. 43, No. 6

         Solitary Traveler from Book III, Op. 43, No. 2

         Wedding Day at Troldhaugen from Book VIII, Op. 65, No. 6

Franz Schubert/Franz Liszt

     Der Doppelgänger S.560/12

Franz Liszt

     Après une Lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata S.161/7

Encore:

Robert Schumann

     Arabeske in C major, Op. 18

Arvo Pärt

     Für Alina

An air of melancholy and a sense of yearning for one’s hometown echoed inside the CCP Little Theater in pianist Zsolt Bognár solo concert. But the concert, billed as Der Wanderer: A Musician’s Journey, was far from being a downer as Zsolt was able to make mostly introspective music fascinating.

Zsolt started the concert with Franz Schubert’s Impromptu No. 4 in A-flat major, D935/Op. posth. 142 and Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946. Right off the bat, the poetic, song-like melodies coupled with the repeats driving the said tunes firmly in my head finally enabled Schubert to penetrate through me. Schubert has been one of the major composers whose works never really resonated with me before. But Zsolt’s rendition of just a handful of pieces, was able to convince me to think otherwise.

A selection of Edvard Grieg’s Lyric Pieces (Arrieta from Book I, Op. 12, No. 1, Butterfly from Book III, Op. 43, No. 1, To Spring from Book III, Op. 43, No. 6, Solitary Traveler from Book III, Op. 43, No. 2, Wedding Day at Troldhaugen from Book VIII, Op. 65, No. 6) that followed suit took the audience on a journey of different moods. Familiarity with these pieces aren’t necessary at all since the titles perfectly match the character of the music that were at times tender, tranquil, somber and eventually, festive.

The musical journey went into a chilling turn as Zsolt tackled Franz Liszt’s transcription of Franz Schubert's Der Doppelgänger S.560/12. This piece somewhat served as a short prelude as it was immediately followed by Liszt’s Après une Lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata S.161/7 or more commonly referred to as the Dante Sonata. This work, inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, was clearly the evening’s pièce de résistance. Starting from the descending chords, one couldn’t help but imagine plunging to the depths of hell. A moment of brilliant, clarity introduced the second theme which cannot be mistaken for any other than the heavens above. Despite the length and seemingly lack of structure, Zsolt’s rendition and shaping of the piece, kept me glued all throughout.

For his encores, Zsolt played Robert Schumann’s Arabeske in C major, Op. 18 and Arvo Pärt’s Für Alina, two pieces that solidified the thematic link of the night that of composers who were out on a journey away from home and their loved ones. And just like these composers, Zsolt is also on a journeying musician and the concert stop in the country allowed him reconnect with his Filipino roots.

With Zsolt choosing a more quiet and introspective program, the mood was generally more subdued and contained. And for me, this was a very welcome change of pace that was able to wash away the ferocity that I experienced during the concert that I saw prior to this. As I said earlier, the concert also made me want to listen and learn more about Schubert’s piano works and Zsolt’s debut CD Franz & Franz, that includes most of the pieces he performed in the concert, is a good way to start.

More of Zsolt can also be seen online as the host of Living the Classical Life, a program featuring interviews with classical musicians like Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, and Joshua Bell among many others.