CONCERT REVIEW: Ying worthy of recognition

By By James Beaumier, Special to The Messenger
Published: December 01, 2009

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The Hartsville-Coker Concert Association treated their audience recently to a recital by renowned pianist Tian Ying in the Watson Theater of the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center at Coker College. Performing a challenging and "poetic" program, Ying played music by Chopin and Mussorgsky.

Polish-born Chopin has been called the "Poet of the Piano," and this is certainly how Ying approached the selection of and performance of his music. Beginning with a pair of contrasting Nocturnes or night pieces, Ying "spoke" eloquently with the consummate control of a showman. The Op. 62 Nocturne included controlled dissonances with inevitable harmonic movement whereas the following Op. 48 evolved into a pianistic showcase which led well to the succeeding "Barcarolle" with its memorable theme played splendidly by Ying.

The following Trio of Mazurkas is also well-known to anyone who loves piano music. These were played with excellent control and voicing as the melancholy themes were so wondrously transformed. The robust third Mazurka was played with appropriate passion and precision.
The less well-known Fantasy is a brooding selection alternating between virtuosic flourishes with well-played complicated passage-work and slower sections, which are interrupted by the resumption of the "fireworks."

The Chopin section closed with the famous Ab Polonaise which is a pianistic "Tour de Force" worthy of a Van Cliburn competitor who received “high honors.” This exciting selection with its grand, eloquent theme was played with appropriate passion, energy and near abandon by Ying.

The second half consisted entirely of Mussorgsky’s famous "Pictures at an Exhibition.” Moving from its memorable "Promenade" theme (eventually transformed into the grand closing "Great Gate of Kiev") the audience is guided along this musical picture gallery journey. Evocative and imaginative and even including a bit of whimsy ("Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks"), this piece ends strongly and gloriously with Ying playing with generous flourishes.

Ying is an excellent pianist and is perhaps ready to enter the first ranks of this country’s pianists. Congratulations to the Concert Association for bringing this soon to be well-known artist to Hartsville.

Info: (843) 332-7820 or visit www.hartsvillecokerconcerts.org.