Yesterday marked the sixth appearance by pianist Ilya Kazantsev at the Sanford Springvale Historical Museum. With him was the superb cellist Sergey Antonov. I have heard (and reviewed) this pair previously. I stand by the assertion that they are artists of world class ability. Furthermore I will not state that Kaznantsev is the greatest pianist in the world. I will state that in my opinion he is merely one of the greatest pianists on this planet. As for Antonov, he could easily be the first cellist of any major symphony orchestra.
Listening to them make music together was a delightful as well as moving musical experience as one could possibly hope for. The phrase “it doesn’t get any better than this” applies here. Fortunately a large and appreciative audience filled the museum. Many of the people recalled the previous appearances by this duo. At a time when many groups try to sell tickets by offering events that have more entertainment value than musical value, it was reassuring to see the large crowd. The phrase from another genre comes to mind here: “If you build it (offer events of quality) they will come.”
As for the program presented, it began with “Variations for Cello and Piano in d minor” by Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). The operative word in the title is the word “and” because the composition is literally a work for both instruments. The piano does not merely serve as a kind of backdrop for the cellist. Each person and often both of them have significant roles to play.
With regard to Antonov, one noticed a lush, full bodied tone, even in quality and timbre from the lowest reaches of the instrument to the highest register. His playing is passionate, always expressive and musical. He knows how to make a phrase and his playing is never mechanical. Technique is never a problem or consideration for either performer, and their playing is so melded that one is conscious of one instrument making music, even though two are playing. This is a kind of unity that only happens when the performers know what the other is doing and each listens to the other.
The next selection is one that is not often encountered. It was the “Sonata in F Major for Cello and Piano” by Johannes Brahms (1811-1897). Brahms was a pianist and even though this piece is for cello and piano, the piano part calls for the same virtuoso ability as the solo cello. I noticed that in the first movement they repeated the exposition as Brahms indicated. (Others might have left out the repeat. Life is difficult enough as it is. …) The music is a tour de force for both instruments. It might not be the best concert etiquette but the audience showed their appreciation by applauding after each movement.
While the second movement is introspective in nature, you will never hear plucked notes played with such power as in this movement. The third movement is a powerful scherzo that put both performers to the test (they passed) and the last alternated animated and lyrical sections. Will they record this, please?
After a short intermission Mr. Kazantsev came out and put the museum’s Bechstein piano through its paces. While it withstood the onslaught well, it may never quite be the same. The work performed was “Spanish Rhapsody” by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) The performance of this work was awesome. Every kind of technical obstacle that the febrile mind of Liszt is contained in this piece. I would challenge such schools as Eastman, Julliard or Mannes to produce a pianist who could play this particular work as well. I would contend that no one could possibly play it any better. The appreciative audience rose as one to give Mr. Kazzantsev a rousing, standing ovation. I know what I heard and I know what I saw but I still did not believe my eyes or my ears.
The concluding selection was a major work by a minor composer, one Camillo Schumann (1872-1946). Written in 1932, it sounds like it could have been composed some 50 years before. Again, the duo played as musically as before.
Turning pages may look simple, but it is far from that. The page turner for this concert was Dylan Cao, a senior at Sanford High School. I want to thank the sponsors who made this extraordinary concert possible.
— Dr. Morton Gold is a composer, conductor, retired educator and an arts reviewer for the Journal Tribune.
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