12 October 2009 - Jennifer Pike at Wigmore Hall

Jonathan and I went to Jennifer Pike’s lunchtime recital at Wigmore Hall.  She was the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition in 2002, at the age of just twelve.  It means she is still only 19, but what maturity and confidence she has – backed by her talent.  This was a stunning recital, perhaps the best I’ve been to this year.

She produced gorgeous, truly beautiful sounds out of her violin.  Every single note had a life, and with the acoustics in the hall, it sounded heavenly.  Her music had everything – power, subtleness, strength, softness, fierceness, gentleness and preciseness.  Just incredible.  Her first piece was Fritz Kreisler’s show piece, Praeludium and Allegro.  I have heard this piece hundreds of times by various violinists, but this was absolutely the best.  Her performance had so many different colors - starting out powerful and solemn, then into expressive and even somewhat playful middle part, and dramatic ending.  Her bowing for double stops was fabulous.  Next, Schumann Sonata No. 1.  This is my favorite Schumann Sonata, and again was played beautifully.  I love the first movement – it is rather dark and cloudy as it reflects the composer’s worries and anxiety.  I heard Joshua Bell play this sonata two years ago, also I have a CD of this piece by Gidon Kremer and Martha Argerich.  Jennifer’s playing can certainly compete with these two major international violinists.  After that she played Processions by Jeremy Pike (her father), Romantic Pieces Op. 75 by Dvorak, and Tzigane by Ravel.  The encore was Salut d'amour by Elgar.  Truly beautiful ending.  And oh I must say Martin Roscoe was a fabulous pianist – his piano playing blended perfectly with Jennifer’s violin.  Then Jonathan went back to work and I came home!