Reviews
Ilkley Concert Club’s concert by Min-Jin Kym and Ian Brown at the King’s Hall, Ilkley
I recently had the privilege of hearing young string players in a large private school in Bangkok, their standard of playing was astonishingly high.
There must be something in the air to produce such talent, coupled with a capacity for sheer hard work; one 11 year-old complaining to me that she wasn't allowed up at 5.30 in the morning to practise her concerto.
From Thailand to Hong Kong and beyond large numbers of gifted youngsters take our Associated Board grade exams.
Min-Jin Kym was born in Korea but raised in the UK, nevertheless she exemplified for me all that is marvellous about far-eastern dedication to music.
In a word her concert was fabulous, partnered by the ever supportive Ian Brown.
They began with an early Mozart Sonata K301. These sonatas were advertised for harpsichord with violin accompaniment' and in the many passages where the piano had the main interest the violinist was content with her accompanying role. Ian Brown gave a welcome introductory talk about the Beethoven Sonata op.30 no.2 that was to follow. Only 22 years separate it from the Mozart but now the two players converse on an equal footing. This is Beethoven in C minor mood. With the piano lid fully open Ian Brown gave full value to the composer's combative writing to which Min-Jin and her 1696 Stradivarius responded with equal vigour; the balance between them was perfect. Having shown us how forcefully she could engage with her partner in the first movement, her playing of the slow movement had great serenity; the capricious scherzo was full of wit and the dramatic potential of the finale was powerfully expressed.
The CDs of their commercial recording (Sony) sold like hot cakes in the interval.
The Prokofiev Solo Sonata is a real challenge for the player, demanding not only tremendous virtuosity but quicksilver response to this composer's typically abrupt changes in mood. The lyrical and the sardonic aspects were caught equally well and the dynamic range of her playing was remarkable. How I'd love to hear her play Bartók!
The Brahms Third Sonata in D minor offers huge challenge to the pianist, his part is so full of notes that it can easily drown even the strongest partner.
Ian Brown is an old friend of Ilkley and as ever in the outer movements he managed to give full value to Brahms' writing whilst never obscuring what the violin had to say, a remarkable feat.
The song-like slow movement was eloquently played and the often coy atmosphere of the scherzo well caught.
A passionate performance of the finale brought vociferous applause and the encore, Elgar's Salut d'amour' was beautifully played, balm after the strenuous Brahms.
9:02am Thursday 17th April 2008
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