CONCERT REVIEW: "Restructuring Chopin" features Rassoulova-Suk, Krovytska and Casatt String Quartet (02/08/04)

CONCERT REVIEW: "Restructuring Chopin" features Rassoulova-Suk, Krovytska and Casatt String Quartet

by Bohdan Markiw

NEW YORK - On the bitterly cold and windy evening of January 24, "Music at the Institute" presented on unusual but highly interesting program, titled "Restructuring Chopin." The deep freeze and blustery New York weather did not deter serious music-lovers from pouring into the Ukrainian Institute of America to experience, enjoy and admire the music of the revered composer Frederic Chopin.

The acclaimed pianist Valida Rassoulova-Suk arranged the program and participated in all its variations as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. Ms. Suk is a graduate of the Byul-Byul Special Music School in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Gajibekov Conservatory, and the Moscow State Conservatory. She is the winner of numerous awards, including the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, the top prize in the International Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris, the gold medal at the International Music Festival in Pleven, Bulgaria, and holds the title of Distinguished Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ms. Rassoulova-Suk settled in the United States with her then husband, the renowned Ukrainian pianist Mykola Suk and has been active as soloist, chamber musician and piano teacher.

Participating artists in the concert program included the New York City Opera soprano Oksana Krovytska, and the noted Manhattan-based Cassatt String Quartet - violinists Muneko Otani and Jennifer Leshnower, violist Tawnya Popoff and cellist Nicole Johnson. Bassist Christopher North Renquist completed the string section.

The program opened with Piatagorsky's transcription of Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp Minor for cello and piano, followed by the Adagio for Piano Trio, Op 8. Both pieces were performed with sweet plush sounds from the lower string instruments which enveloped the audience. The execution of the work recreated the pleasant atmosphere of Parisian musical salons of the 19th century.

The next segment of the program consisted of a number of mazurkas that are usually neglected by performing pianists. The mazurkas were Chopin's lifeblood and present great interpretive challenges. The first mazurka for piano solo, from Op. 17 no. 4, was lovingly played by Ms. Suk and showed the melodic lilt of Chopin.

This was followed by four mazurkas for soprano and piano, which had been transcribed by one of Chopin's piano students, Pauline Viardot who also provided the French text. The translated titles were: "The Young Girl," "Love Me," "The Little Bird" and "Coquette."

Ms. Krovytska sang all four of the songs with distinction. The vocal parts had many bel canto, high scale jumps and other technical intricacies which the Ukrainian soprano executed with remarkable elasticity, and mellow colorations in the intimate sections. Especially touching were her high notes sung in exquisite pianissimos.

Well-known to Ukrainian audiences Ms. Krovytska's recent engagements have included a return to New York City Opera as Liu in "Turandot," as well as a performance in Penderecki's "Seven Gates of Jerusalem" under Maestro Penderecki and the RTVE Symphony Orchestra in Madrid, Dvorak's "Spectre's Brinde" with the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra under Eri Klas at the Concertgebouw, and a recording of "Spectre's Bride" with Zdenek Macal and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra recently released on Delos Records.

The concluding part of the program was devoted to the Second Piano Concerto in F Minor. The orchestral part was transcribed for strings only and was played by the Cassatt Quartet with the inclusion of Mr. Renquist's double bass. The strings played their part with great precision, following the soloist with dynamic graduation. Their outstanding playing shone in the sustained shimmering tremolo, pizzicati and the "col legno" episodes.

Ms. Rassoulova-Suk, as piano soloist, stood out with her soft and delicate playing, clear sparkling runs with an aristocratic lilt and gorgeous sounds.

All of the performers were repeatedly rewarded with sustained ovations. This was a wonderfully marvelous musical evening, which made the audience forget the bitter cold outside.

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