By Marie Louise James
When asked what qualities an aspiring musician should possess, famed Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos answered: “patience, determination, and practice — in that order.”
Such were the qualities conveyed communicated through Kavakos’s truthful and dedicated performance of an all Beethoven concert on Feb. 27 at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. The concert, part of the Princeton University Concerts series, featured a performance of Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas Nos. 4, 5, and 10, performed by Kavakos and pianist Enrico Pace.
Kavakos’s performance highlighted the beauty of Beethoven’s sonatas over sheer virtuosity. His presence on stage was humble and unassuming as he directed focused on the essence of the sonatas.
The choice of sonatas showcased a variety of musical moods. Sonata No. 4 was restless, featuring strong dynamic contrasts, jolting accents, and a grave minor mode. Sonata No. 5 in F-major, also known as the “Spring,” was pastoral and more carefree.
Sonata No. 10 in G-major was meditative, starting off with a simple motif played by the violin and then echoed by the piano. “The last sonata for me is the most significant in the sense that again we are in this contemplating atmosphere,” Kavakos says when discussing Beethoven’s ten violin sonatas, which he has recorded with Enrico Pace for a CD by Decca classics. “We play three or four bars and nothing has been said, and all has been said in the same time. We have this invitation to sit down, calm down, concentrate, and contemplate.” Kavakos emphasized each emotional turn in the music, mesmerizing the audience with the precision and purity of his playing.
Likewise, Pace attentively followed Kavakos, proving himself an equally sensitive interpreter of Beethoven’s many moods. In his own part, Pace drew out each phrase, giving life to the piano accompaniment and allowing it to flow freely and expressively. The combination of Kavakos’ clear-cut playing and Pace’s lyricism breathed new life into the music, and the rapport between the two performers extended to the audience.
Upcoming concerts in the Princeton University Concert series at Richardson Auditorium include a concert by the glamorous and charming mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato on March 27. The Nash Ensemble of London is performing a Dvorak Piano Quintet and two works of Princeton composers on April 3, followed by a performance on April 6 by the Richardson Chamber players and a concert by Renaissance vocal ensemble Gallicantus on April 26. The season will come to a close on May 1 with a performance by pianist Piotr Anderszewski of Bach, Schumann, and Schubert.
