Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Samuel Barber, Nikolai Kapustin :: Sachiko Kato, Piano

Very disappointing Kapustin

Ken Iisaka | Mill Valley, CA | 04/02/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"While the performance of Beethoven is fine, I have found Kato's interpretation of Kapustin to be awkward, with random rubati and odd dynamics. Kapustin must be interpreted with a keen sense of rhythm which the pianist lacks, with a continual drive that holds the piece together. Instead, it is interpreted as a slightly intoxicated, overly melancholic classical pianist may."

Piano Music played with elegant eloquence!

Alexander C. Lim / Musika Records, | New York, NY United States | 02/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In her own quiet and profound way, Ms. Kato expresses the essence of the music of three distinct periods; all in elegant eloquence.We are delving into a realm beyond mere technique, as that is always a given when it comes to piano performance.The Barber Sonata happens to be one of my favorite 20th Century piano compositions and in my opinion, perhaps, one of the finest. The last movement Fuge never fails to move one's soul with its haunting melodic lines. Ms Kato brings out all of this quite well, indicative of her profound understanding of the work. It may be worth pointing out that in the midst of the Fuge itself, Barber alludes to the "Prelude", a form commonly associated with Bach's Preludes and Fuges, especially of the "Well-Tempered Clavier Books I & II". This is brought out very distinctly as well.For those who like to jazz it up a bit, the Kapustin is, by no means, an easy piece to play. Despite it's jazzy overtones, the pieces are actually very well balanced in form and structure, and are true compositions that are well thought out. Ms. Kato gives the illusion of improvisation and her flowing lines certainly do justice to the Etudes. She had me believing that she was jazz pianist for a while there!As for Beethoven, what more is there to say of him that has not already been said."