October 14th, 2023Famed pianist gives fundraiser recital for local health cause

Words: Bronislaw Sozanski BA DipEd ATCL VMTA

Internationally renowned pianist Leslie Howard, pictured above, during a rare visit to Australia, gave an outstanding recital on September 17, as a fundraiser for Central Highlands Rural Health.
London-based Howard has recorded the complete piano works of Franz Liszt and is recognised as a leading scholar of the music of that composer. The capacity audience enjoyed a spectacular performance of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt.
The Mozart sonata K331, with the well-known Rondo Alla Turca, was performed (at a private local venue near Daylesford) with refinement and clarity. Continuing scholarship allows the contemporary listener to get closer to Mozart’s original score, with Howard performing the updates in his exciting reading.
The rarely performed Beethoven Fantasie Op.77 successfully projected Beethoven’s dramatic intentions, with the improvised character shining through. The sense of purpose and direction were always evident.
The performance of Chopin’s Barcarolle, from its simple, joyful opening to the colourful dramatic development remained true to the lyrical and poetic character demanded of this composer’s music, assisted by deft pedalling and well-controlled chord voicing.
The recital included Liszt’s Der Todesengel (Death’s Angel), a relatively recent discovery. The emotional intensity within the piece was clearly heard as the narrative was slowly revealed in this short but powerfully dramatic piece.
The recital was completed with Liszt’s two Ballades. The fireworks of these two bravura works were comfortably realised as Howard revelled in the music with which he is so closely associated.