Internationally-acclaimed Swedish pianist, Per Tengstrand, appeared at Backus Auditorium in International Falls last Thursday (Nov. 30) in the second of this season’s Border Concert Series.
Tengstrand, winner of the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Festival Competition, has graced concert halls around the world, and is quickly establishing himself as one of the rising young international stars of the keyboard.
Tengstrand’s Border Concert program featured technically difficult works designed to showcase his physical power, blazing speed, and brilliant technique.
He opened the show with Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata in C-sharp minor, constrasting the familiar beautiful melody of the first movement with the raw energy and power of the “Presto Agitato” of the third movement.
Tengstand’s program also included two etudes, and the “Fantastic Impromptu” by Chopin, Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme by Paganini,” and lyrical pieces by Grieg and Swedish composer, Stenhammar.
From the outset, Tengstrand established a warm rapport with the audience, providing interesting anecdotes about the music and the composers–often with touches of self-deprecating humour.
At one point, he invited the audience to applaud between movements of a piece so that he might give his hands a rest.
Tengstrand’s performance was nothing less than breathtaking. For much of the evening, his hands were a blur flashing over the keyboard.
And the Border Concert audience seemed to recognize they were in the presence of greatness for they awarded Tengstrand with two standing ovations.
It’s not often performers are so honoured at Backus Auditorium but, then again, it’s not often that an artist of Tengstrand’s calibre comes this way.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
