I did not start out planning to be at the noontime concert at Old St. Mary's, but as I was already downtown running errands, it made for a convenient break in my day. Pianist Robert Schwartz played an appealing all-Chopin program, lasting under an hour. He had a few moments of stiffness at the start, but I liked the improvisatory feel of his interpretations & the plump, unpercussive playing of his left hand. I also liked his nicely fluttering runs. Despite the echoey church acoustic, Mr. Schwartz managed not to sound muddy. The main piece was the Piano Sonata No. 2 with its familiar funeral march, which sounded solemn but not lugubrious. Mr. Schwartz always looked happily involved, & the appreciate audience gave him a standing ovation.
§ Noontime Concerts
Robert Schwartz, piano
Frédéric Chopin:
Barcarolle, Op. 60
Nocturne in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1
Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35
Scherzo in E Major, Op. 54, No. 4
Tuesday, August 30 12:30 p.m.
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral
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