Warren Mailley-Smith has played the Complete Chopin from memory and is now in the process of recording it all. That is impressive, and good for Chopin, who was kind enough to be not as prolific as some composers but it never fails to amaze me how much repertoire artists keep in their heads.
So, it was a bonus that he began with Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata. The only question about programming is whether to begin or, more traditionally, end with the biggest guns. Warren applied a gentle brio, and plenty of prestissimo, to the familiar opening and wasn't troubled to fit in all the notes. He had pointed out what a revolutionary piece this had been in the very early days of the modern piano and it still retains so much wonder that one can only imagine how extraordinary it sounded to an 1804 audience.
The second movement begins sombrely and 'moonlit' in the mood that Beethoven is equally eloquent but not so often heard in. The move to grander portentousness as it shifts into the third movement was elaborated with flowing lyricism in a fluent, captivating performance. It is a monumental sonata and was delivered here with relish and enjoyment. On such a bright, Spring day there was nowhere else one could think of wanting to be.
But if that wasn't Romantic enough, it was Chopin for the rest of the programme.
Having once discovered one person who doesn't like Sibelius, I think I've yet to hear of anyone who objects to Chopin. How could they. It's only that he isn't quite Beethoven.
The Nocturne no.16 is a dreamy confection by comparison, but lush lyricism nonetheless. Two waltzes don't aspire to the condition of a sonata but were fine examples, fluttering like ribbons in a light breeze and the Scherzo no.2 led us back towards Beethoven, more imposingly, to suggest that the two composers are not so far apart. Chopin was 17 when Beethoven died and so could be seen to be taking off in his own direction from where he left off.
Never less than tremendous - although I do pick out the concerts I'm most likely to enjoy- Chichester's Tuesday lunchtimes are a local treasure, but Warren went into overtime with his encore. I'm glad I checked with him what it was and thus avoided trawling the Complete Chopin to find it. Giving the top end of the keyboard a joyful workout was Gottschalk's Souvenirs d'Andalousie, completely shameless in its loveliness for its own sake.
Thankfully, Warren has recorded the Waldstein, which I was glad to pick up there and then.
Another good day out in Chichester was completed by being drawn into Analgue October Records by the choice reggae the proprietor was playing. I was no use to him, not being able to remember the last time I played a vinyl record and that's all he had but somebody must be buying it. We happily name dropped Eek-a-Mouse, Yellowman, Gregory Isaacs and Smiley Culture for five minutes which added a gorgeous counterpoint to my day even if it didn't add much to his.
