Truly outstanding recital

Otago Daily Times

12 hours ago

Abhinath Berry. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Abhinath Berry is home from a year of advanced piano studies in London. He played to a full-house audience in Hanover Hall on Friday evening, many of whom have followed the development of this young man's amazing talent during his recent years of study at University of Otago, under the tutelage of Prof Terence Dennis.
His chosen programme included four works, reasonably contrasting but all immensely difficult and demanding. The openingfeatured six of George Gershwin's well-known songs brilliantly transcribed with elaborate pianistic embellishments by American pianist Earl Wild (1915-2010) while strictly maintaining Gershwin's familiar melodies and syncopated style. A sublime delivery, unbelievably relaxed and emotional.
Three movements from a suite by Ravel entitled Miroirs followed: Oiseaux tristes, Une barque sur l'ocean and Alborado del gracioso, the last maintaining a lyricism throughout.
Etude-Fantasy, by John Corigliano, a set of five studies, the first for the left hand only, utilised the entire keyboard, conquering a range of intricate passages while the right hand rested on the desk. The four that followed were indeed a smorgasbord of complex contrasting pianistic styles, all negotiated with unbelievable mastery.
Hungarian Rhapsody Op 9, by Franz Liszt, is a fiendishly difficult work, crammed with wildly dramatic virtuosity. Berry conquered the lot, mesmerising his audience with calm, confident pianistic technique.
A short encore was a complex etude for piano by Finnish composer Rautavaara and completed an outstanding recital.
Berry will return to London to continue his studies and there is no doubt a great future beckons in which he will be recognised and in demand as an international concert pianist.
Dunedin followers wish this quiet, unpretentious young man and his unique musical talent every success for a phenomenal career.