Concert Reviews

Erlanger Nachrichten | Cora Uitting | 8 December 2005

Nutcracker and Flower waltz

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The EKO [Erlangen Chamber Orchestra]... prepared itself for the piano concerto with pianist David Theodor Schmidt who in his early twenties and as manifold laureate not only plays highly acclaimed concerts, but also has already called attention, even beyond the specialised press, to himself with CD-recordings.

Spots of sound as in a dream
So he then shaped very clearly the initial arpeggios, started the dialogue with the very attentive orchestra, followed strongly yet softly with spots of sound as in a dream the second theme which had been introduced euphoniously by the wind players. Schmidt’s playing is not cold, on the contrary, it enables him to present an artful intimacy, provides him with the knowledge of the lovingly set effect. Absolutely stunning was the way he managed to play almost paradoxical moments in the Adagio, full of intensity and detachedness at the same time. A few little irritations with the Orchestra, which had – conducted by the very committed and competent Ulrich Kobilke – presented an extremely creditable performance in the first two movements, unfortunately impaired here an there the joyfully effervescent energy in the Rondo.

Schmidt, though, once more brought the house down for his encore, a brilliant piece by Franz Liszt, that he performed full of delight.

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