Unaffected Restraint
Halida Dinova plays
music that tells stories -
heard by
HOWARD SMITH'... a mesmerising interpreter ...'
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In 2008 I wrote about Ms Dinova's magnificent (St Petersburg) recording of Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto with undisguised admiration [Distinctive Spontaneity -- Halida Dinova plays Brahms]. Now, with these fifteen solo miniatures, I can wholeheartedly endorse my earlier enthusiasm at Ms Dinova's artistry.
In this recital no item is longer than track 8: Balakirev's fiendishly difficult Islamey at 8'25". Dinova makes light of the formidable difficulties, tackling it with thrilling ferocity, tempered with radiantly observed lyricism in the central Tranquillo -- Andantino espressivo.
According to Percy Scholes (1877-1958) in his 1924 book Crotchets: A Few Short Musical Notes (Freeport, NY), 'Scriabin seriously damaged his right hand fanatically practicing (Islamey) along with Liszt's Réminiscences de Don Juan, though the injury eventually healed' (page 141)...
Copyright © 25 June 2011
Howard Smith,
Masterton, New Zealand
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