Roman Rudnytsky, Lunchtime Live, Portsmouth Cathedral, October 13thA highlight of the current season of Portsmouth cathedral's lunchtime recitals was today's performance by American pianist, Roman Rudnysky.
The early indications of his Haydn sonata, the finale marked Presto ma non troppo, was that he didn't care for the non troppo. He provided some historical background to the pieces by Haydn, Grieg, Debussy and Liszt before moving over to the keyboard to begin immediately, left the shortest gap between movements (discouraging intermediate applause in the process) and played with gusto.
While his Debussy was comparatively subdued, it was a surprise to hear that Debussy had always been a big favourite of his because the gentleness and shimmering qualities of that music was a brief interlude in between a powerful In the Hall of the Mountain King and Liszt's Grand Galop Chromatique which would have been difficult to follow.
He was rewarded by an enthusiastic ovation from a larger than usual audience for lunchtime in Portsmouth and was a fine ambassador for the concerts, the series and music itself. At the age of 74, he retains tremendous enthusiasm and energy. Unfortunately it might be too late to catch him in the UK on this latest visit because he sails back to the USA shortly, entertaining on a cruise as he goes.