Axel Trolese at Bechstein Hall, London
‘Mastery and intelligence of a remarkable artist’
Axel Trolese comes to us via a glowing review from Louis Lortie. Very high praise indeed! Making his London debut in the sumptuous new Bechstein Hall.
Already well known and much admired in Italy he came to this new hall with a programme from Bach to Ravel including shorter pieces by Liszt, Rachmaninov and Albeniz.
It was enough to hear the opening of Bach’s Italian concerto to realise we were in the presence of a real musician with a technical command of the keyboard that could allow him to add ornaments that were like tightly wound springs. But these were subtle ornaments that just highlighted his architectural understanding as the opening movement was played with dynamic rhythmic energy and astonishing clarity. Contrasts of dynamics in layers that were hardly noticeable but illuminated the score with refreshing spontaneity. A slow movement seemingly without pedal as the left hand was a pulsating heartbeat over which expanded the ravishingly simple beauty of Bach’s cantilena. Playing of style and understanding that allowed him to round corners and breathe as a great bel canto singer creating a magical atmosphere of wonder and purity between the two dynamically driven outer movements. The last movement was played with an infectious ‘joie de vivre’ and rhythmic drive with colouring of orchestral proportions.
