ARCHIVE: Piano Recital (August 2019)

Originally published 8/18/2019

Earlier today, I attended an informal piano recital given by Yurie Farnsworth. She is a former student of Jon Kimura Parker at the Shepherd School of Music, and winner of their piano concerto competition (as a junior, no less!). On the menu was Kabalevsky's piano sonata and 20 of 24 Chopin preludes. Even given the limited acoustics of a living room, Yurie produced a particularly beautiful and wide-ranging tone. Her slight build did not impede the production of strong and percussive fortes, but her real forte is the use of sensitive and varied tone colors. She was totally committed to the individual character of each of the preludes. Chopin was a master of tone color and wide-ranging emotions, and it felt like the intimate setting was a true recreation of the original venue for these short but impactful pieces. For her part, Ms. Farnsworth left the impression of a young Martha Argerich.