Lunchtime Concert worth the wait for patient audience

Review

Perth Concert Hall was a scene of unusual apprehension for this first Lunchtime Concert in the new season, writes Ian Hunter.

The pianist Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula had been delayed at the new Queensferry Crossing and by 1.10pm was not even in the building for a show which was due to start at 1pm.

However, the well-organised Horsecross staff kept their patrons, probably the largest Lunchtime audience yet, fully informed, and the soon-to-beproven formidable pianist entered almost at a run and began a fine performance of Schubert’s great B Flat Sonata.

He set out at an ideal pace, the accompaniment propelling the work, the tunes giving it grandeur.

It was full of insight into the piece’s darker moments: one example – a tortured chromatic descent, the minatory deep trill, then the contrasting warm frisson of change of key with the big tune at the start of the recapitulation.

“The Andante had tragedy and consolation with warm confidence at its centre. With faultless articulation the spinning Scherzo was repose and delight.

The Finale started almost garrulously jolly before kaleidoscoping through the episodes including one of shattering import.

After this, there was a short pause to allow those to leave if time required it, but only seven took this opportunity.

Much less frequently encountered, Janacek’s In the Mists has four short pieces, each given only tempo indications.

Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula showed himself equally at one with Janacek’s melos: from the lyrical to the tumultuous in 1, with a ballad-like storytelling in 2, then innocence and vehemence in 3 and finally obsessive in 4.