Wagner and List embark in Deal with Filippo Tenisci at the helm
A standing ovation and a taste of mushy peas were the just reward for a remarkably dedicated young artist who could transmit Wagner’s genius with a kaleidoscopic palette of colours. Adding Wagner’s son in law’s demonic pianistic genius too, as Liszt brought Wagner’s orchestra into the elite salons of the day with a heroic transcendental pianism that was exhilarating and overwhelming.
Two early original pieces by Wagner showed already his search for colour and insinuating counterpoints. Commissioned especially by the Festival to play a work from 2015 by the composer in residence and also to pair it with Wagner’s much neglected ‘Wesendonck’ Sonata. In fact the whole of this first half of the programme was played with barely whispered tones of great beauty. Filippo caressing the keys with gentle stroking movements gave a radiance and beauty to this fine Yamaha piano donated some years ago to Deal and that sits so proudly in their Town Hall.
Read more here at Christopher Axworthy’s blog
