Pianist Anthony Hewitt, Kendal Town Hall

PRELUDES to Pictures: a clever title conceived by Anthony Hewitt, the Kendal Midday Concert Club’s distinguished guest, for his recent piano recital. The Preludes (a selection of Anthony’s favourite Skryabin works of this genre) served as a prelude to Pictures at an Exhibition, Mussorgsky’s monumental homage to his friend, the painter Viktor Hartmann. Adding another enterprising layer to this concept Anthony commissioned a series of designs by Klára Smith that contributed contemporary takes on each of Hartmann’s paintings. These were displayed in digital format on the rear wall behind the piano during the performance.

Skryabin’s Preludes, brief though they all are, present the pianist with a wide range of challenges - challenges which test technical flair and musicianship to a high degree. There are not only countless Chopinesque passages of glitteringly-delicate dexterity, but also moments demanding the most powerful of tone production that would then, perhaps, be contrasted with quiet, emotionally expressive material. Hewitt was equal to all such challenges and gave memorable readings of these, maybe, unfamiliar treasures.

Then…all change! The hall is plunged into semi-darkness; pictures of Mussorgsky and Hartmann are projected on the wall; we start to promenade through the gallery, viewing and assessing the ten pictures. Whilst we proceed, the effect of Hewitt’s remarkable skill in illuminating Mussorgsky’s musical imagination is heightened by Klára Smith’s fanciful, imaginative, beautifully drawn black and white designs. These are projected - zooming in and out, full of exquisite detail, changing as befits the varying moods of the music - as we move from picture to picture.

A wonderful conception? Almost just that. But it was so easy to concentrate upon Klára Smith’s artistry and to be conscious only of the rather peripheral position of Hewitt’s pianism (which was magnificent throughout). The antithesis, of course, was also extremely possible! I found myself with an eye and an ear in both camps.

But no matter: it had been an extraordinary, interesting and enjoyable experience.

Brian Paynes