A Duo Captivates Audiences with Virtuosity and Sensitivity at the City Church
“... their musical rapport was so harmonious, so intimate and so full of humour, reflected above all in their expressive intensity, their shared interpretation and their infectious joy in making music together.
A delicate, meditative interlude, Pari Intervallo by Arvo Pärt, ushered in the final part of the concert. Gently glowing individual notes, performed with wonderfully sensitive touch, enchanted the interior of the City Church, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of stars twinkling in the dark night sky.
What began with fragile, minimalist sounds continued with the thrilling final movement of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. It was a magnificent finale, delivered with fiery temperament and pianistic brilliance: thrillingly swift, sonorous, passionate, powerful and dynamic, with impeccable ensemble playing – simply brilliant.”
Pianist Igor Parfenov inaugurates a new grand piano at the Historic City Hall in Wuppertal
“With fascinating ease, Igor Parfenov performed this rigorously composed work. Repeatedly leaning over the keyboard as if seeking to explore the music in its depths, he presented a graceful Prelude and a light-footed, dance-like Allemande. He shaped the Sarabande with deep intimacy, the Minuet with grace, and the Gigue with lively playfulness. Following enormous applause, Parfenov conjured tender, expressive sounds from the Steinway in a Nocturne by Chopin, painting the hall with the most delicate touches of sound. When the applause and calls of ‘bravo’ still showed no sign of ending, he repeated Arvo Pärt’s Für Alina—and the concert could have begun all over again.”
Intense piano recitals in Wuppertal
“At two impressive piano recitals, pianist Igor Parfenov captivated audiences over the weekend with a contrasting programme and playing that was both virtuosic and deeply intense. Igor Parfenov immediately won the hearts of the listeners. Leaning over the keyboard as if seeking to explore the music in its very depths…”
The world-famous melody flowed with infinite softness
“The world-famous melody flowed with infinite softness; with a slightly lingering touch, Igor Parfenov succeeded in bringing out the dreamlike, floating quality of this movement. The final movement of this symphonic piano concerto (Allegro vivace) was characterized by a joyful and light-hearted classicism. The young pianist ‘purred’ through the virtuosic passages with the orchestra and with remarkable clarity, reaching a musical climax in the solo cadenza with the return of the main theme. The cheerful movement came to an exuberant conclusion with lively chords from piano and orchestra.”
The lively finale
“The young pianist demonstrated remarkable maturity in his interpretation. His sensitivity to nuance allowed the audience to experience the work anew, particularly the second movement. How often this Andante has been spoiled by an overly saccharine, pseudo-lightness — Parfenov and the SOM, by contrast, found a way to restore the gentle naturalness of the familiar theme.”
Breathtakingly beautiful
“With the young pianist Igor Parfenov, the organisers had made an excellent choice. Parfenov performed the last of the three Viennese piano concertos that Mozart composed in 1782 with elegant expressiveness and brilliant clarity of touch. The pianist brought out the polyphonic structures of the Allegro with clearly articulated tone. Every bar seemed perfectly coherent in itself.”