Nordbayerischer Kurier
Sound Surprises
With virtuosity and easiness: piano evening with Gianluca Luisi in the piano salon Niedermayer

Bayreuth
By Sandra Blass

It’s a big challenge for every pianist to transfer the classic of the harpsichord Domenico Scarlatti to the piano. Even more on the historic Bechstein grand piano from the time of the fin de siecle, which present a really jewel in the piano salon Niedermeyer. But for the international renowned Gianluca Luisi this is no problem at all. On the contrary: it is astonishing in which easiness and mature technique the two baroque sonatas are coming on the age-old instrument. Admitted, the particular structure of the sound of the Bechstein Grand Piano, the different volumes and the colouring in the individual tiers (levels) with suchlike Harpsichord-Sonata takes some time for modern ears getting used to. But the folksy elements, the influence of Spanish dance-forms as also the memory to later cluster-shapes are making the pieces in combination with the special character of the instrument to a real hear-adventure.

It is an evening of sound-surprises. Because it is just as unusual that the Prelude and Fugue Nr. 2 from the Welltempered Clavier from Johann Sebastian Bach are passing over so seamlessly into a sequence of baroque dance-movements of the modern composer Goffredo Detrassi. Admirable the virtuosity and easiness of Gianluca Luisi. Because the change of fast brawling movements and powerful chordic passages demand a high amount of skills.
Gianluca Luisi has these skills without any doubt on his disposal and gives proof of them once more with the “Wanderer-Fantasy” of Franz Schubert.

1822 completed, this opera rings in a new start for the experimental and joyful production of piano sonatas. Dressed in the cyclic form of sonata and combined with new motific forms it invites the listener to associate memories on the Wanderer’s way.
After a Sonata del Petrarca and a concert paraphrase to the opera “Rigoletto” from the romantic Franz Liszt, the great and familiar “Nutcracker-Suite” from the Russian composer Peter Iljitsch Tchaikovsky in an arrangement (adaptation) for the piano.
In a sequence from sets of dances of different countries, from rhythmic clear march via the exciting tarantella up to the cheerful china dance, the whole width (breadth) of the claviatur and thus the wonderful sound variety of the old grand piano shows again advantage.

In memory stays a musical evening with wide variety with a pianist of the world class.