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| Ricci Foundation Award 2006 David Josefowitz Recital Hall Royal Academy of Music London 5 February
Adjudicators: The worthy outright winner of this year's Ricci Foundation award was Mikhail Shilyaev from the RNCM in Manchester, a stylish and thoughtful pianist who presented a well balanced contrasting programme entirely by memory. His Haydn was well turned and ornamented, its improvisatory waywardness bringing to mind the fantasies of CPE Bach, and making me think that it would go well on the clavichord. I hope that when he is next at the Royal Academy he may want to explore their York Gate collection of Early Keyboard Instruments. Schoenberg's Op 33 was brought to us lucidly, displaying Shilyaev's interest and sympathy for contemporary repertoire, not evident from the other finalists. He encompassed the virtuosity and extreme emotions of the Scriabin sonata with ease and conviction, albeit with a restrained manner at the keyboard. I look forward to an early opportunity to hear Mikhail Shilyaev in a full recital; perhaps he'll apply for the PLGYA? Of several short-listed runners up I heard, Yevgeniy Kostrytskyy (violin) impressed in an exciting and flamboyant account of Waxman's Carmen Fantasy, and a special word of commendation is due to his pianist partner Sasha Grynyuk. Midori Sugiyama (violin) gave compelling unaccompanied performances of Bach's Sonata No.2 and, especially, Ysaye's Ballade Sonata for solo violin. But Tchaikovsky's Waltz-scherzo was perhaps an unwise choice for her; although played with commitment, its sustained interest was insufficient to show this well equipped violinist at her best. Both are names to watch. Mikhail Shilyaev (27) is Russian, a post graduate student at Royal Northern College
Violinist (Eric Hui-Ti Wang Ricci Foundation 2004 Winner) will be playing Fauré, Sarasate & Wieniawski* at St John's, Smith Square, London, SW1, 1 p.m. 9 February 2006
Mikhail Shilyaev's "Emperor" St John's Smith Square, 20 October 2006
Mikhail Shilyaev acquitted himself with distinction in an essential rite of passage for aspiring concert pianists. He is one of those who convey an inward quality, never indulging in audience-pleasing posturing. Economical movements, good posture; a diffident little bow belying confidence and authority at the keyboard (reminding me of Marc-André Hamelin, whose face whilst playing is inexpressive; his new Hyperion DVD is my piano recording of the month). This was a good Emperor without frills or special point-making to establish the pianist's identity. Shilyaev let you know from the first flourish that he knows where he's going and takes you with him; no fears that memory or technique would let him down - he rarely glances at the keyboard. He sensed the acoustics of St John's and it sounded well from the back (where the sound for piano is best). I enjoyed it there in close proximity to the illustrious Peter Feuchtwanger, famous exponent of "Functional and Natural Approach to Piano Playing", who enjoyed it as I did. The orchestra was the excellent free-lance professional band London Soloists who played with assurance under their conductor David Josefowitz (the Ricci Foundation competition which Shilyaev won had been held in the eponymous concert hall at RAM). There was easy rapport which made for a sound exposition of the concerto from all involved; this account of the concerto lacking the tension between soloist and conductor which can make for listening frisson, but none the worse for that. An auspicious concertoappearance for a British-based pianist whose progress will continue to merit attention. Commercial CDs will surely be not far behind?
CD compilation of live recital performances in Europe Shilyaev's contemporary repertoire
* WANG & CHANG
Fauré's No 1 Sonata was powerfully led from the piano by Evelyn Chang, who is heavily involved with contemporary music and well remembered from her successful PLGYA debut. There was however a lack of Gallic charm, or indeed Taiwanese wit (?) in the hour, which sent me back to my treasured Hyperion CD of both Fauré sonatas. Inside the jewel case I found my review from who knows what paper journal! Evelyn Chang's commanding way with the scherzo was impressive, but lacked the delicacy of the young Susan Tomes with Krysia Osostowicz [Hyperion CDA 66277, 1987].
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Winner: Mikhail Shilyaev (piano)
The nod towards Mozart (Sarasate's Magic Flute Concert Fantasy) was topical and enjoyable, but a dull set of virtuoso variations by Wieniawski too in the same short programme was a mistake.