Christ Church hosted a piano recital earlier today that might turn out to be one of the highlights of an already very impressive Spring 2025 programme at the hands of what surely must be three of Chetham's finest pianists: Harmony, Bardo, and Patrick.
Listening to Harmony's opener, Bach's «Prelude & Fugue in F minor» (BWV 857), I thought that after the clarity with each voice was conveyed, the following pieces couldn't get any better— but better they did get, particularly the next one, Chopin's «Étude, op. 25, n.° 1», which was perfomed with great virtuosity.
«It's gonna be messy 'cause it's jazz, but also 'cause it's me» were the words of a very charismatic Bardo, who followed Harmony– even before he started playing, I was impressed by his friendly & charismatic approach to his introductory speech. I don't remember Christ Church's Yamaha ever sounding so jazzy, and, judging by the crowd's reaction, perhaps Wednesdays have more room for this style of music, as most of the nearly two-hundred attendees seemed quite eager for Bardo's improvisations; I enjoyed the very subtle decomposition he did off of «Contemplation» by McCoy Tyner in one of the softer passages of his presentation.
Patrick finished the concert with a rather vigorous take on Liszt's «Réminiscences de don Juan», an already techical and expressive piece. From where I sat it was difficult to tell, but I believe Patrick –like Harmony before him– did it all from memory, which further elevates their accomplishments.
The first standing ovation of the year followed; surely this is not the last we'll hear from these talented pianists, but, as Mr Barker said, we heard them in Christ Church first.
Original-date: 29 of January