3 November - Alasdair Beatson at Bishopsgate Institute

What a charming pianist!  The audience just loved him.

First of all, thank you Alasdair for introducing me to Mendelssohn's beautiful sonata.  Mendelssohn is a composer whose works are under performed, I think, but it was really nice to hear this substantial work which was written when he was only 17 years old.  The opening of the first movement is absolutely beautiful, and Alasdair did a great job playing the highly melodic theme sensitively and gently.  I love the finale of this sonata, which is a spirited and speedy rondo; the transition from the very slow third movement is a contrast.  This finale in the end completes quietly with a repetition of the first movement's opening theme, and it's absolutely beautiful....Mendelssohn knew exactly what to do to create such beautiful music that touches your heart.  Alasdair's played with power and subtleness, so I think this sonata was a very suitable piece to show his ability.  Just one question, the liner notes to the CD I have says that all four movements of this Sonata are played without pause and intended as a continuours whole.  Alasdair clearly paused in between the first and second movements - was that intentional?

Abegg Variations has always been one of my favourites.  It is in Evgeny Kissin's Carnegie Hall debut recital recording, and the minute I listened to it I fell in love with it.  It is just gorgeous.  Compared to the Brahms' Variations Alasdair played before this piece, it is much more joyful and light.  The opening melody is so lyrical, and to me this needs to be played well as it is the introduction to the rest of variations.  Of course Alasdair's interpretation was different from what I'd been used to listening to, but I really liked it.  It appeared to me that he paid full attention to, and cared for every single note he played.  He must love this piece too!

It was a lunchtime concert so the program was a bit shorter than ones for evenings.  I came out of the hall thinking that I would love to listen to him longer.  He is having a recital at the Wigmore Hall, on 1 March, which will include these three pieces.  Anyone interested, pencil it in on your diary!

Oh by the way Bishopsgate is a very friendly venue obviously with lots of regulars to lunchtime recitals; my neighbour sitting next to me kept talking to me.  I told her that I knew Alasdair.  She said, "If you speak to him after this concert, tell him I really enjoyed it.  Tell him he is as good as Lang Lang!"   So I told him.  Good luck Alasdair!

• Mendelsshon's Sonata in E Op. 6

• Brahms' Variations on a theme by Schumann Op. 9

• Schumann's Abegg Variations Op.1.