Kay Stern at Old St. Mary's

Tuesday afternoon I heard violinist Kay Stern & pianist Joan Nagano at Old St. Mary's play an enjoyable lunchtime program consisting of Beethoven's Spring Sonata & showpieces by Amy Beach & Kreisler. Ms. Stern plays with great facility, warmth & a nice variety of phrasing. She had a cushy, sustained sound for the slow movement of the Beethoven, & she & Ms. Nagano smiled at each other after the fleeting Scherzo. Amy Beach's Romance was a lovely salon piece with swiftly changing moods & a dramatic flair. It could have accompanied a silent movie. The Kreisler sounded hearty & sweeping. Ms. Stern briefly introduced each piece. After playing the Beach, she commented, "No mistaking that was written by a woman." The audience was very quiet, even between the movements of the Beethoven, & they gave the performers an appreciative standing ovation.

§ Noontime Concerts
Kay Stern, violin
Joan Nagano, piano

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata #5 in F, Op.24 “Spring”

Amy Marcy Cheney Beach  (1867-1944)
Romance for Violin and Piano

Fritz Kreisler  (1875-1962)
Praeludium and Allegro  (In the Style of Pugnani)

March 12, 2013, 12:30p
Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral