Pianist Alessandro's technical facility, musicianship and youthful athleticism are second to none

On his recent return to Kendal the remarkable Venetian musician, Alessandro Taverna, wowed the Midday Concert Club’s cognizant faithful with a display of pianistic splendour rarely exhibited hereabouts. He is a pianist who excites: his technical facility, musicianship and youthful athleticism are second to none, whilst his Italianate English (although rather difficult to interpret) is greatly appealing.

The Steinway’s sound, right from the start of our happy hour, suggested that the instrument had been punished somewhat during the pre-concert warm-up. It wasn’t in the best of health but, nonetheless, Taverna’s ability to produce the most alluring tonal variety – be it at legatissimo, staccatissimo, pianissimo, fortissimo, delicatissimo, vivacissimo or adagissimo levels – was phenomenal.However, the programme’s content was rather uneven. Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata: 1st movement, beautifully poised; 2nd movement, rather measured; 3rd movement, ferocious, but occasionally a little too frantic) and Mendelssohn were followed by an extended sequence of Lisztian, Ravelian, Debussyan and Gulda-like gymnastics which, although powerfully enthralling, did leave a retrospective feeling of imbalance. This is a shame, because in every other respect, this was a recital to cherish.

Brian Paynes