August 5, 2010

The Saratogian

Judith White

In Von Oeyen’s hands, though, the piano suite glittered and amused and challenged the listener.

Von Oeyen opened the concert playing Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales for solo piano. The suite of seven waltzes was first performed in 1911, and I’ve often thought them rather bland in comparison with the composers later La Valse, with its lush orchestration. In Von Oeyen’s hands, though, the piano suite glittered and amused and challenged the listener. He quickly showed his talent for plumbing a score to shape phrases and express mood. How satisfying it must be to play a superbly crafted work of music so beautifully! Tall and slim, blond and handsome…von Oeyen was masterful.

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