Duo-pianists give exciting recital

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 18

Duo-pianists give exciting recital

Alfons and Aloys Kontarsky, duopianists whose exactness and rare polish delights and astounds audiences, gave a memorable and exciting recital to members of the Chamber Music Society in the Town Hall last evening.

They began with Mozart’s Fugue in C minor for Two Pianos, K 426. It is a dignified work, of erudite construction and the players: went immediately to the heart of the matter in stylish! part-playing of magnificently polished clarity. The music was serenely unfolded and was received in an atmosphere of complete contentment. Stravinsky’s Concerto for Two Solo Pianos made different and more extensive demands upon the players. Again there was miraculous unanimity in weight of touch, absolute' precision, and in every slight nuance on the way. The music captured complete interest with its, strength of contrapuntal

i fully memorable performance. INo point was missed in ■ creating immediate atmosphere for each variation, and the whole work had complete 1 unity. ! The wider possibilities of colour and dynamics are appreciated in the orchestral version, but the playing in this performance was continually astonishing. The recital ended with a Rondeau in C major for Two Pianos Op. 73 by Chopin. Romantic life and impetus, flashing scale work, and shapely figurations came together in abundance to make this playing a delight, even if the work was not the composer’s best.

part-writing, and its imaginative range in timbres, percussive attack, and expressive decoration. There was -firmlygrounded solidity and exploratory adventure. "Structures for Two Pianos, Second Book, Chapter One.” by Boulez, had much to divert and to interest, but it would be rash to claim that all was clear in the composer’s purpose and mode of utterance. However, it was obviously all clear to the Kontarskys, who played with fantastic aplomb, and picked a smooth path through its! intricacies. They nlayed the Variations! on a Theme of Haydn for: T-vo Pianos Op. 568. which! N.Z.BC. Svmphony: Orr'-oc.-a piaved on Saturday; evening This arrangement; for two pianos was the orv'ngi version. Widely-ranging opportunities for expression.! colouring, and moulding of! design were given to the! plavers in this lovely work,! and they took full advantage! of them, giving us a wonder-1