At Kennedy Center last night to hear Murray Perahia play:
Bach: Partita No 6. e Minor
Beethoven: Sonata in E Major, Op 109
Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op 15
Chopin: Etude in A Flat Major, Op 25
Mazurka in A Flat Major, Op 59
Mazurka in c Sharp Minor, Op 50
Mazurka in f Sharp Minor, Op 59
Scherzo in E Major, Op 54
Encores
Brahms Intermezzo
Chopin Etude
I'm still enthusiastic about what I heard last night; scintillating and electric were the adjectives that came to mind. My reactions from last night, via Twitter:
Perahia spellbinding in first half of Bach Partita and Beerhoven op. 109. Audience response and buzz is enthusiastic.
Attention flagged during Schumann, but Kinderszenen (?) is not my cup of tea. Perahia got more out of it for me than most.
Chopin my favorite part, especially Etude and Scherzo. Playing here seemed especially free and attractive.
Brahms Intermezzo and another Etude for generous and satisfying encore.
Valid theory? Used to listening to younger performers. Feel like they call attention to selves; older artists like Perahia focus on music.