Apart from the mandatory face mask and the meticulously performed vaccination certificate check, corona seemed not to exist in Brussels that evening. After almost two years of cultural mourning, the piano-loving audience could finally take their seats again in the soft chairs of the Brussels conservatory. In the new series of the Brussels Chopin Days, the first concert was provided by none other than Severin von Eckardstein.
The track record of von Eckardstein and his already completed career path speak for themselves. He worked, among others, with top conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Philippe Herreweghe, Lothar Zagrosek and Marek Janowski. He performed in the most renowned music temples around the world and won several prestigious prizes, including that of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2003.
On Friday evening, October 8, he let the audience enjoy the two nocturnes from opus 27 and an arrangement made by composer Carl Reinecke of the slow movement from Chopin's first piano concerto. The restrained and sustained performance by von Eckardstein ensured that the audience did not miss the absent orchestra for a single moment. This was followed by the equally impressive polonaise opus 26, no. 1, the famous second ballade, opus 38, and the mazurka opus 17, number 4. The highlight and conclusion of this already dizzying series was formed by Chopin's third piano sonata, in which von Eckardstein was able to render the countless mood changes with equal ease and virtuosity.
The audience was so overwhelmed by this unique piano talent that it called von Eckardstein back to the stage six times. In return, those present received two again brilliantly performed encores, including a mazurka by Chopin.
After this outstanding opening of a new series of Brussels Chopin Days, everyone is looking forward with great anticipation to the continuation. The second concert will be provided by the renowned Russian Alexander Romanovsky, who will immerse the audience on November 4, 2021 at 8 p.m. in other works from the Chopin universe.
- WHAT: concert Severin von Eckardstein as part of the Brussels Chopin Days
- WHO: Severin von Eckardstein (piano)
- WHERE: Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
- WHEN: Friday, October 8, 2021
