Jan 29, 2011

On January 29, we had the pleasure of hearing Viktoriya Papayani present a varied and interesting program at the Salmagundi Club. As she did at last year’s concert, Ms. Papayani introduced each piece with brief historical background commentary. This informal style is well suited for the intimate atmosphere of the gallery space at the club, which has excellent acoustics (but unfortunately also a squeaky wood floor, which resulted in some murderous glances thrown at latecomers). Ms. Papayani again showed her impeccable skill in the technically demanding Scriabin piece (Piano Sonata #3), as well as her sensitivity in the interpretations of the stark Bach Prelude and Fugue in B minor and Haydn’s joyous Sonata in C major. The program ended in a more modern style with Ligeti’s Etude 4: Fanfares, with its hint of jazz rhythms and Piazzolla’s Tango #1 from the Tango Suite.