Alicia de Larrocha, 6th June 1999

 

Piano recital at Kamakura Geijustukan, Kamakura, Japan

 

Programme:

Chopin: Nocturne Number 9, Op 31-1, Barcarolle in F sharp, Op 60, Berceuse Op 57, Polonaise-fantaisie, Op 61

Turina: Danzas Fantasticas, Op 22 Numbers 1-3

Albeniz: 3 pieces from Iberia (1. Evocacion, 2 El Puerto, El Albaicin), Navarra

Encores: Monpou 'Secret', Granados Spanish Dances Number 7, Nin 'Sequidilla'

 

Alicia de Larrocha, the grand old lady of Spanish music - or as she is known in Japan, the 'Queen of the Piano' - is in her 70th year of appearing before the public. It is a very active year. Her recital on June 6th was the ninth of ten given in Japan in the space of less than a month as part of her 14th Japanese tour (since 1967). And she will soon be on her way to the United States where she will give another 21 concerts!

 

Reviewing a legend is not the easiest of tasks. Especially when the artist in question has defined her repertoire as completely as Alicia de Larrocha has defined the works of the early 20th century Spanish composers. Sufficient to say that she was in wonderful form, playing with all the beauty, gentleness, strength and elegance at her disposal.

 

The second half of the programme was devoted to Spanish music, Albeniz in particular. His music presents formidable technical difficulties for the pianist but the diminutive figure at the keyboard on this occasion made it all sound perfectly easy and simple.

 

Simon Holledge