Musical fireworks among the many favourites

Music / “A Assortment of Favourites”, Andrew Rumsey & Thomas Azoury. At Wesley Music Centre, February 11. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

FIREWORKS, nostalgia, joie de vivre with a contact of attraction and tomfoolery stuffed this live performance of piano and clarinet music by two stylish musicians.

With Andrew Rumsey on piano and Thomas Azoury enjoying the clarinet, they started this assortment of favourites with, “Sholem-alekhem, rov Feidman!”, by Béla Kovács. From behind the viewers, Azoury started to play, strolling slowly in time with the music as he acquired on to the stage. This piece sings, dances and cries, after which on the finish of this rousing work, Azoury shouted out a loud, joyful HEY!

The flowing and lyrical, “Cantilène”, by Louis Cahuzac, adopted. The numerous scalic runs on this piece, for piano and clarinet, had been deliciously performed by each performers. 

Rumsey’s heat and delicate enjoying within the “Romance in A Main”, by Amy Seashore (arr. Azoury), was matched by the glowing tones Azoury created on his clarinet.

Able to virtually any sound attainable, the dynamic vary and tonal colors on the clarinet are like few different devices. Whereas Azoury jokingly stated in regards to the Seashore piece, which was written for piano and cello, Azoury organized it, as a result of the whole lot sounded higher on the clarinet; he’s not far flawed.

“Viktor’s Story”, by John Williams, from the 2004 film, “The Terminal”, is a delightfully quirky and playful piece. Williams completely matches his music to the lead character on this film. He authentically captures the story of the hapless character, as did the performers.

“Elegie”, by Gabriel Fauré, is an iconic work. Organized by Azoury from cello to clarinet, it begins virtually stately. A few of its decrease notes within the clarinet acquired misplaced within the voice of the piano, but it surely quickly broke out right into a excessive, lush melody. A tragic, solemn work.

The light, “Canzonetta” Op.19, by Gabriel Pierné, is a good, rolling work that is still easy and flowing all through. Pastoral-like, it reminded of nature.

“Solo de Concours”, by André Messager, is a favorite work of Azoury. With its extremely colored content material, and a robust solo part, it confirmed off the variety of the clarinet. It was simple to listen to why he cherished it.

“Ave Maria”, by Franz Schubert (arr. Liszt), performed solo piano is a common tune. As they are saying about all good tunes, they will sound good on any instrument, and this sounded elegant.

Just like the theme from a well-known film, the unabashedly candy “Romanza”, by Michele Mangani adopted. It had an plain sentimental really feel, but it surely sounded nice.

One wonders if the “Carmen Fantaisie”, by Pablo de Sarasate (arr. Baldeyrou) of Bizet’s music will not be an precise rewriting of the work. The numerous further notes on this thrilling association proved that sure, that is extra rewriting than an association, but it surely was price it.

Ending this system with, “Feeling Good”, by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the sound of this profound pop piece with its jazzy really feel, left the viewers simply because the music suggests, feeling good. 

Then, as an encore, they carried out the dynamic, “Libertango”, by Astor Piazzolla. These two musicians don’t simply work effectively as a duo, however for the previous 13 years performing collectively, they’ve created many memorable live shows, this was certainly one of them.