Krzysztof Jablonski (piano)

Chorale "Ich ruf zu dir, Her Jesu Christ", BWV 639 - Bach/Busoni Sonata in C minor, Hob xvi/20 - Haydn Sonata in C minor, Op 13 (Pathetique) - Beethoven 24 Preludes, Op 28 - Chopin In the Bach/Busoni Chorale and in the slow movements of the sonatas by Haydn and Beethoven Jablonski made the piano sing with a controlled expressiveness that many singers would find it hard to equal. In the quicker, lighter movements the notes glittered like pebbles in a running stream, and one felt that here was a performer who was completely at the service of the music. He made clear the stylistic differences between the composers on the programme - one could almost have guessed the composer from the first chord of each piece. Here was playing of the utmost clarity with a beautifully balanced interplay of parts; nevertheless, one would have welcomed a greater sensuousness.

The recital in the NCH John Field Room on Monday ended with Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28. Clarity was again a priority and it was good to hear the music played with vigour and without sentimentality; but, masterly as the playing was, one missed the sense of a meeting of minds, that tension between the composer's score and the performer's personality which makes a recital not only praiseworthy but also exciting.