Tyler Hay reaching for the stars.
‘From candlelight to starlight’. A masterly display of artistry and showmanship
A standing ovation for Tyler Hay after a masterly recital at St Martin in the Fields of works from Mendelssohn Songs without words to Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust .
A wondrous journey from the ravishing beauty of five of Mendelssohn best loved ‘Songs without words’ played with disarming simplicity and beauty.
A monumental performance of Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures’ where each one was painted with a kaleidoscopic palette of colour and an extraordinary sense of characterisation all leading to the final Great Gate of Kiev which came as a triumphant glorification of freedom and truth.
Bells peeling all over the keyboard as the final glorious outcry filled this magnificent edifice with sounds that reverberated with such significance in every soul present.
A delicate ‘Clair de Lune’ followed of luminosity and fluidity where streams of mellifluous sounds were etched in gold on a seamless silver platter.
Gershwin’s classic ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ ended this short recital in full swing style with beguiling innuendo and teasing rhythmic energy.
Grandeur and nobility united in a scintillating display of unashamed showmanship from an artist who could also reveal the subtle and unique artistry of a composer who Nadia Boulanger refused to teach for fear of contaminating a unique voice.
A voice Tyler had too as he introduced the programme with amusing anecdotes and the ease and charm of a Victor Borge.
An encore was offered by great demand of a transcription by his grandfather John Hay It was he who had sown the seed of music in the six year old Tyler with his jazz transcriptions of which ‘Starlight’ by Hoagy Carmichael was the one that Tyler chose to share with us by candlelight today
A memorable recital that had us on our feet in a spontaneous ovation for an artist who had shared a wondrous journey of uplifting music making with us today.
