Serious pianist at the height of his powers

Łukasz Krupiński. Photo: Peter Hislop.

Music 

Łukasz Krupiński in recital, 

Wesley Uniting Church, November 17. 

Reviewed by Helen Musa

A large crowd of piano aficionados turned out on Sunday night for a recital by Łukasz Krupiński, supported and hosted by music patrons Brian and Dianne Anderson.

Krupiński, already very familiar to Canberra audiences from previous visits including several concerts at the 2022 Canberra International Music Festival, is a young Polish pianist with a growing reputation who has now relocated to London to further his studies.

This was a concert for those who are interested in the more refined elements of piano interpretation and it was notable that many young piano students were in the audience to watch and learn.

Krupiński differs from many other virtuoso pianists in the serious demeanour he adopts, playing with such quiet intensity that he seems to be internalising his music.

Beginning with Chaconne in D minor BWV 1004, transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni from Johann Sebastian Bach’s violin work, he began quietly, eyes half-closed in apparent contemplation, but quickly varied the mood and pace to bring the work to a strong ending.

He next turned to Beethoven’s Sonata No. 28 in A Major, op. 101, commencing delicately with the allegretto ma non troppo underscored by real thunder from outside. This contrasted with the lighter second movement the vivace all marcia, which brightened the tone before the perfectly-controlled adagio ma non troppo, deeply lyrical and punctuated by gentle pauses.

The third work was Chopin’s fantasy Op. 49, which no doubt many had come to hear, a piece requiring lightness and subtlety but in Krupiński’s hand, building towards a grand ending.

The final work for the afternoon was more playful – Concert arabesques on the motifs by Johann Strauss, by Schulz-Evle, a reimagined fantastical variation on Strauss’ most famous tune, By the Beautiful Blue Danube.

The element of fantasy, with all its elaborations and variations, almost outshone the familiar tune, but he finished with a mighty flourish.

A quiet encore concluded this short, intimate recital by a serious performer at the very height of his powers.

First published at Canberra City News, November 18, 2024