This is Jon Kimura Parker. He was the soloist for the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 last night at the Utah Symphony and he was breathtaking.
But I'm getting ahead of my self.
Last night I took most of my piano students on a little "field trip" to the Symphony. When I heard about the USO doing the Rach 2 I decided I HAD to attend, and then I thought to myself: my piano students should really have an opportunity to hear a world-class concert pianist play the most popular concerto of the 20th century! So, I informed all the parents that I wanted to expose their progeny to the world of professional classical music. ALL of them thought it was a great idea and most of them paid for tickets for their kids- and- much to my surprise-for themselves! I had a group of 12 people, besides myself, who were going to the Symphony!
Most of my students were REALLY excited! But since the concert didn't START until 8pm, it was a late night and some of my littlest students actually didn't make it all the way through- they had to leave early because they were just so tired!
Before the concert began, I met all my students in the Lobby. There was a pre-concert pianist playing Beethoven, so I instructed my students to go listen to this young man play for a minute or two, and then, come back and tell me how old did they think he was. They all gave me ages between 13 and 19. It turns out this very talented young man was 15! And boy were they impressed! I think there's nothing so motivating as seeing someone in your own age bracket perform something monumentally difficult and then saying to yourself "I could do that too." I think it really broadens the imagination as to what is possible with a little work and dedication.
I had a seat separate from my student because I purchased my ticket in August of last year! And I'm really glad I stuck to my ticket! I had the BEST seat in the house! Just far enough from the stage to absorb the entire sound whole, just close enough to see the sweat glisten on JKP's face, just left enough to watch his hands move so fluidly- it was like watching quicksilver slide over the keys. It also brought to mind all the technique I acquired from years of Sara Harris. (Sara, if you read this, THANK YOU for the excellent technique- I knew what I was watching for and he was flawless!)
The concert began with a Toccata by a composer I was unfamiliar with- John Becker? It was a toccata for the orchestra- which was ENORMOUS! Mahler sized! After the Toccata, the symphony decreased in size by more than half and they played the Beethoven 4th symphony with great delicacy.
Intermission.
Then the Rach 2. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. This is one of the most lyrical, entrancing, yet aggressive, intense and in a word CAPTIVATING piano concerto's ever written. period. The strings were returned to their Neo-Romantic size, as well as the wind sections. Since the strings were so powerful, it was difficult to hear the pianist sometimes- but since I know the music well, I was able to hear what I needed to focus on. I wish the string sections (especially the violins) were not so excited about their little accompanying role- because they did a great job of drowning out the pianist when it was their turn to be emotional:) But his playing was so thoroughly acrobatic, it was even a pleasure just to watch him dance over the keys, when all I could hear was VIOLIN>>>>
I won't take you play by play, phrase by phrase through the entire piece. But I must say the third movement was so rhythmic and driving that his hands and fingers were BLURRED because of the blinding speed. It was heaven. I was crying as the piece finished and the entire hall (which was PACKED) rose to their feet in one swift movement and thunderous applause just ERUPTED with cheers, whistles and shouts of BRAVO!. It truly was an accomplishment. JKP was still on his seat when we began applauding and the first thing he did was not bow to US, but he jumped up onto the conductor's podium and just gave him a BEAR hug- strong and full of gratitude for the music they were able to create together. Thats the true worth of music- It brings people together in a way that touches your deepest heart and makes you appreciate the people around you.
After this initial standing ovation, JKP was ushered back to the piano by the conductor. We all sat down in anticipation- what was he going to play for us now?
HE turned to the audience and said: It seems I have no choice- so I hope you don't mind if I play something slow and quiet!
We all laughed and he introduced the Rachmaninoff Prelude in G. It was etherial and beautiful and a perfect calming piece to balance the exuberance of the Concerto!
Then, he got called out to ANOTHER encore- this time he introduced the piece like this:
"And one more thing... I just got done celebrating and attending my 30th High School reunion. While I was there, my classmates kept asking me to play something. My buddies asked me to play our school anthem. So, I will now play my class anthem for you tonight in honor of that occasion- Ladies and Gentlemen, BILLY JOEL'S SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT!"
Peals of laughter erupted and he played with great enthusiasm and aplomb his last encore. It was a perfect ending to an evening of excellent music and we all left the concert with a smile on our faces- chuckling to ourselves at the cleverness of this brilliant pianist and the wonderful music he had just treated us to.
I will never forget last night. The only thing that would have made it better is if my sweet husband could have shared it with me.
So... I win the "wife of the year" award.
