Review | Shostakovich piano concertos a mixed bag in Ben Kim’s hands
American soloist, performing with Hong Kong Sinfonietta, played Russian’s first concerto too cautiously but brought out the romanticism of his second
American pianist Ben Kim could have achieved more success with a less conservative approach to Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, performed with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of Scotsman James MacMillan on Saturday.
Kim has solid technique, but lacked the rhythmic energy necessary in certain sections to fully capture the Russian composer’s intentions, which MacMillan indicated clearly with his precise direction for soloists and orchestra.
Trumpeter Huang Shan presented commentary to the piano’s material with a warm tone when required and penetrating stabs elsewhere. His contribution would have had greater effect had he been standing alongside the pianist rather than at the back of the orchestra.
Shostakovich’s second piano concerto in F major has greater structural continuity than the first and, like that work, a propensity for musical quotations. The second movement was the highlight of Kim’s performance, his facial expressions offering a commentary on the work’s deep romanticism.
With the expanded orchestra the work calls for, the Sinfonietta had more opportunity to convey an array of tonal colour, and the crispness of the woodwinds’ playing stood out.
