Ohlsson Celebrates Chopin

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson continued his year-long celebration of Chopin’s 200th birthday with a pair of recitals at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall that cemented his status as the finest pianist on the concert stage today. His flawless technique, coupled with a keen understanding of the structural elements of the music, brought the capacity crowds to their feet both nights with cheers of joy.

   Among the highlights were superb accounts of the two nocturnes, Op. 27, in which the formidable leaping arpeggios in the left hand were easily accommodated, given Ohlsson’s gigantic stretch, and lent a serene underpinning to the delicate melodies spun out in the right hand. The preludes, Op. 28, miniatures of the entire range of Chopin’s genius in exploring and inventing sonorities for the instrument, gave Ohlsson a chance to show his full range of emotion, from puckish whimsy to majestic authority.

   And the Barcarolle and the B minor Sonata, signature pieces that helped him win the hearts of the audiences in Warsaw 40 years ago when he became the first American to capture the gold medal in the International Chopin Competition, have never sounded more eloquent.

   His sensitive use of pedaling brought each note into focus, unlike many pianists whose interpretations blur the carefully constructed lines. He is the master of rubato, bending the flow of time for expressive effect, without making the results sound affected. The slow movement of the sonata in particular was played with utter grace and poignance. A thunderous encore — the A flat major Polonaise — ended the evening. Afterward, the pianist chatted amiably with those who queued up for autographs and signed CDs, including the Grammy-winning disc in his continuing series of complete Beethoven sonatas on Bridge Records.

   Ohlsson’s next all-Chopin programs this year within driving distance are Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the acoustically perfect Troy Savings Bank in Troy, NY. More information and tickets at troymusichall.org. The program will be repeated at Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a second program on Dec. 8. For information and reservations, go to www.new.lincolncenter.org or call 212-721-6500.

   The Hevreh Ensemble is a unique chamber group composed of woodwinds and keyboard playing spiritual music with both a Native American and Jewish flavor. Their next concert on Sept. 5 is at the home of the Rev. Ellie Epperson in Salisbury to raise funds for the group’s fall trip to Eastern Europe. Founder and oboist Judith Dansker says “Our purpose is to bring unique American music to  old/new cultures in the Czech Republic & Poland. We will be playing in old synagogues and schools in a whirlwind good-neighbor tour.â€

  For reservations, call 860-435-0288. Donations of $30 are requested. Refreshments will be served.  

   Jazz comes to Tanglewood in a big way Labor Day weekend with a two-day festival that includes the Laurence Hobgood

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Trio, the Kurt Elling Quartet and a special live broadcast of Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey (Sept. 4). Sunday’s lineup features clarinetist Eddie Daniels, keyboardist Bob James and the Count Basie Orchestra. Tanglewood.org or 888-266-1200. Lawn tickets are free for children 17 and under.

   And while kids under 17 may have heard of “Swanee River†or “Camptown Races,†there’s a good chance that they have never heard them sung, along with the many other fine songs of Stephen Foster that once were sung and played in every home. So it’s nice to see that the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is presenting George Conrad, tenor, in “A Musical Salute to Stephen Foster,†Sept. 3, at 8 p.m.

   Songs will include such Foster favorites as “Oh! Susannah,†“Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,†as well as some lesser-known but equally beautiful Foster songs. “I think that people who know Foster’s music will enjoy the nostalgic trip down memory lane,†says Conrad. “For people who don’t know Foster, it will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the music and the man, both of which were integral in the development of American popular culture in the 19th century.â€

   Tickets $18/$16 children and seniors at 845-876-3080 or centerforperformingarts.org

   Stephen Schwartz, the composer/lyricist of “Wicked,†will trace his journey from Broadway and film to opera, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. at Merestead in Mount Kisco, NY. The multiple Oscar-winner will preview his new opera, “Séance on a Wet Afternoon†with soprano Lauren Flanigan. Presented by Music from Copland House, the concert is part of a series that includes Jennifer Sheehan in a salute to the American Songbook (Oct. 3) and a David Amram 80th birthday celebration (Oct. 24). Tickets $25/$20 Friends of Copland House/$10 students w/ID. Call 914-788-4659 or e-mail office@coplandhouse.org.