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Reubke: Piano Sonata in B-flat Richard Raymond-65 min. The Reubke Sonata is clearly Raymond's showpiece (he won the Fifth edition of the Web International Concert Hall Competition with it). Written by a young student of Liszt, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Master's B-minor Sonata. (Passages if the work contain embarrassing little microcosms of Liszt's masterpiece). This sonata is great theater, with demanding technical displays surpassing even Liszt's, and Raymond delivers all of the drama and poetry one could hope for, finally adding credibility to the notion that the work is deserving repertoire.
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony plumbs the depths in a musical Feast of Faust His Piano Concerto No.2 in A Major is just the challenge for a virtuoso like New Brunswick-born Raymond. Raymond now lives in Quebec, and has earned many coveted performance awards. Yesterday's audience quickly heard why, as Raymond is a dazzling virtuoso. Tackling this intricately embroidered, one-movement concerto is not for the faint of heart. Tremendous physical and emotional strength characterize Raymond's style. To this, add Raymond's profound grasp of his relationship with the conductor and orchestra. Both Liszt's Totentanz (Dance of Death; performed scarily perfect by Raymond), and the orchestra's Finale to Liszt's Faust Symphony, called Mephistopheles, allowed Streatfield and the symphony ample room to display their bold blend of orchestral colours. K-W Record, May 29, 2004
"Fulminantes finale..."
"If piano playing ever becomes an Olympic sport,
count on Richard Raymond to win the gold metal... a very romantic virtuoso...
electrifying pianist..."
"His performance of the Beethoven 4th Piano
concerto (with the Baltimore symphony) would not have been out of place
in partnership with any orchestra in the world..."
"Raymond a toujours maintenu les plus hautes
qualités de technicien, de musicien et d'interprète et ce
disque confirme une fois de plus la place qu'on lui a assigné auprès
de Lortie et Hamelin dans l'univers pianistique canadien... On pense à
Richter dans ses plus grands moments..."
"Raymond is a name to watch..."
"An electrifying performance..."
"A warmly expressive pianist..."
"De tout ce qu'on a entendu, le plus beau est
sans doute l'éclosion d'un artiste qui nous ouvre un chemin qu'on
ne saura quitter... Un musicien qui modèle le son..."
"He played with great assurance, at full power..."
"A fascinating performance, made remarkable
by the absolute genius Raymond has for making the piano sing... a compelling
imagination for shape and texture... an amazing control of tone and timbre..."
"Nous n'écoutons pas quelqu'un qui joue
du piano, nous écoutons un musicien qui modèle le son...
sonorité remarquable... L'intelligence, surprise, eat séduite
tout autant que le Coeur est co ntent..."
"Un pianiste d'exception..." |
"Raymond comes across as a musician who knows exactly what he expects from a piece and how to get it..."
"He left the listener wanting much more... a clean but passionate player, who can make more music out of a five-note run than most manage from an entire movement..."
"Richard Raymond gave a beautiful performance, carefully balancing the subtle with the spectacular..."
"Raymond is blessed with an extraordinary technique that enables him to take difficult passages at an ambitious pace and yet make every note speak clearly..."
Audience Reactions
Virtuosi Concerts presents THE SEASON FINALE · SOLD OUT Kaori Yamagami & the Bonjour Stradivari cello (1696) Richard Raymond & the Ashkenazy Steinway
April 2, 2005 Programme:
"Brimming with emotion everything from dripping with tears to being coquettish and energetic, and brilliant. A wonderful grand finale" (Virginia Heinrichs).
"I feel like I've been treated to a sumptuous delectable feast, un affaire chocolat pour les oreilles" (Muriel Smith); "a surfeit of musical riches!" (Cynthia Coop)
"One of the best concerts I have been to!! The fantastic performance combined with the excellent acoustics makes it a memorable experience. Thanks!" (Harish Mudaliar & Emma Alexander)
"Another tour de force for Virtuosi Concerts - a dazzling finale to an exceptional season of concertizing" (Cynthia Coop).
"It was such an emotional evening! I found this duo mesmerizing and I was drawn in to the power and the flow of their sound!" (Nancy McKeen). "They feed off each other's passion so well," (Josée Vaillancourt) "creating wonderful rich sounds. They are a great duo that seems to breathe as one" (Virginia Heinrichs).
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