<p>The Pro Helvetia- Swiss Arts Council and the Bangalore School of Music presented a piano recital by Gilles Vonsattel recently. <br /><br />For each half of the programme, Gilles played in such a way that it concluded with a monument of Western classical music. He played Beethoven’s Sonata, Op 110 which is the work of a master composed nearing the end of his life, having reached the pinnacle of his art. Its range of expression was breathtaking. The sonata began with gentle movement, shifting to a fast, humourous, almost raucous scherzo. The audience that was present to listen to the pianist mostly comprised of instrumental music lovers and also those who knew something about what was being played.<br /><br />Gilles chose to preface this sonata with a series of short pieces. He started with a short selection of fugues from Bach’s Die Kunst Der Fuge. Then, he played Beethoven’s Op 126 Bagatelles, a series of short sketches that were written during the composer’s final years. Nancy Meg, one of the members of the audience said: “I have listened to Gilles before and each time I listen to him he plays better than the last time. Today also, he played really well and I simply forgot myself listening to him.”<br /><br />The programme ended with Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. This was very different music than that of Beethoven. <br /><br />Meira, another listener said, “I am mesmerised by the way he plays. I just stuck to my chair and forgot everything else around me.” <br /></p>
<p>The Pro Helvetia- Swiss Arts Council and the Bangalore School of Music presented a piano recital by Gilles Vonsattel recently. <br /><br />For each half of the programme, Gilles played in such a way that it concluded with a monument of Western classical music. He played Beethoven’s Sonata, Op 110 which is the work of a master composed nearing the end of his life, having reached the pinnacle of his art. Its range of expression was breathtaking. The sonata began with gentle movement, shifting to a fast, humourous, almost raucous scherzo. The audience that was present to listen to the pianist mostly comprised of instrumental music lovers and also those who knew something about what was being played.<br /><br />Gilles chose to preface this sonata with a series of short pieces. He started with a short selection of fugues from Bach’s Die Kunst Der Fuge. Then, he played Beethoven’s Op 126 Bagatelles, a series of short sketches that were written during the composer’s final years. Nancy Meg, one of the members of the audience said: “I have listened to Gilles before and each time I listen to him he plays better than the last time. Today also, he played really well and I simply forgot myself listening to him.”<br /><br />The programme ended with Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. This was very different music than that of Beethoven. <br /><br />Meira, another listener said, “I am mesmerised by the way he plays. I just stuck to my chair and forgot everything else around me.” <br /></p>
