The talent of Dariescu is undeniable; it appears to exist naturally and spring from a place of deep passion, resulting in an effortless demonstration of artistry, executed with precision and grace
The internationally acclaimed pianist Alexandra Dariescu took to the stage with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields on the 21st of March in a riveting concert that showcased a remarkable diversity in repertoire of both orchestra and soloist.
The Romanian-born Dariescu created a name for herself on the classical music scene with her trailblazing multimedia project ‘The Nutcracker and I’ gaining international recognition in 2017. Since then, she has toured around the globe as a concert pianist of the highest ranking and collaborated with orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, and the Oslo Philharmonic.
The evening’s programme unusually comprised both orchestral and chamber music, contrasting a Mozart symphony and the Clara Schumann piano concerto with more intimate pieces for piano and solo violin and cello by Schumann and Nadia Boulanger. The concert also featured an emotionally striking piece by contemporary British composer Anna Clyne.
Opening the concert with Rondo in D,Dariescu’s Mozart is energetic, vibrant and regal – everything you require Mozart to be to transport you to the majestic music halls of the 1700s. Described in the programme as Dariescu’s very first piece she performed as a concerto pianist (at age 9!), the mastering of this opus should not come as a surprise. Yet, the dazzling pianistic flourishes of the movement felt as fresh as ever, with the orchestra proving their talent likewise. We return to Mozart for the end of Act 1, this time for his Symphony No. 20 in D major, the orchestra led admirably by concertmaster Tomo Keller in a remarkably lively and nuanced interpretation.
Sandwiched between these large Mozart works was a remarkable set of miniatures by Nadia Boulanger, Trois Pièces pour violoncelle et piano. Though perhaps best known as a teacher and mentor for countless musicians in the 20th century – from Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland to Quincy Jones and Philip Glass – these pieces demonstrate Boulanger’s masterful talents as a composer too. By turns both charming and striking in their emotional depth, they were brought vividly to life by Dariescu and Academy principal cellist Richard Harwood.
After the intermission, concertmaster Tomo Keller performed Clara Schumann’s Three Romances together with Dariescu. A playful, passionate, and intensely lyrical set of miniatures that express an array of emotions within their short structures – a flawless portrayal of these distinctive works.
Anna Clyne’s 2008 composition Within her arms, written after the passing of her mother, is a touching rendering of grief and loss. It is slow-building, dynamic, and almost cinematic in its dramaturgy with tension, releases, and tragically beautiful motifs that linger in dissonance before eventually crashing into a climax that strikes a particularly poignant note.
Dariescu returned to the stage for the finale with C Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, which, in fact, was written prior to the composer’s marriage to husband Robert, under the name of Clara Wieck – aged just 15. A favourable response from the audience proves yet another triumph by Dariescu and the Academy, with Keller again leading the orchestra with understated control.
The talent of Dariescu is undeniable; it appears to exist naturally and spring from a place of deep passion, resulting in an effortless demonstration of artistry, executed with precision and grace. Also acting as compere for the evening, she was able to connect with the audience with charming anecdotes and create an intimate environment in which to share the music. In her playing, she is balletic and expressive, yet precise and steadfast and utterly committed to the music. As a person, she comes across as humble and sympathetic and doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight with the rest of the talents that made the concert possible.
The evening ends with standing ovations from the crowd and an encore by Villa-Lobos that ‘is so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss it’. Dariescu is brilliant in the mesmerising ‘O Polichinelo’, knowing precisely what compels an audience. Well worth the cheering and applause, the evening with Dariescu and ASMF was a delight from start to finish.