CD Reviews:

Ian Milnes, March 29th, 2006 (continued)

This is another in Dunelm Records’ excellent and enterprising series of CDs recorded during the Fifth Chetham’s International Summer School and Festival for Pianists in 2005. The young, South Korean-born, pianist Jae-Hyuck Cho gave this recital on Friday, August 26th, 2005, in the Whiteley Hall, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, and recorded by kind permission of the Director of Music. Peter Lyons prepared the piano which has a wonderful sound on this CD. Mr. Cho has spent much of his time in America, including studies with Herbert Stassin and Jerome Lowenthal at the outstanding Juilliard School from which one would expect Mr. Cho to be a pianist of very high standards. These expectations are well fulfilled in the performances on this CD. He has given many performances in North America, Europe and Asia, including gaining a Diploma in the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. I sincerely hope that, certainly from the impact of this CD, he will give many performances in the UK in the future.

Jae Cho makes an arresting start to his recital by playing Beethoven’s ‘Waldstein’ Piano Sonata with splendid energy, clarity and effective pedalling, maintaining the forward momentum of the powerful first movement, while also giving almost a sense of mystery in the calmer sections especially at one point in the recapitulation. That sense of mystery is also in evidence in parts of the Adagio molto with its feeling of repose well caught, though perhaps there is room for him to develop a little more spiritual depth in future performances. The ensuing Rondo is outstanding, with his pedalling helping to produce ethereal, transparent textures with brilliant, light finger work well contrasted with the vigorous stamping dance-like sections. He even brings a sense of mystery to the quieter parts of this movement, and there is a feeling of expansiveness and well being, culminating in a truly thrilling and uplifting fast conclusion.

After Beethoven’s great sonata structure, I was interested to hear how he coped with music of a vastly different style in Ravel’s magical Jeux d’eau. Here his fine musicianship conveyed the sound world most vividly, in a performance of wonderful fluidity and delicacy, producing a marvellous image of “water at play”!

Another marked change of style was evident in Schumann’s splendid Piano Sonata No.2, and Mr. Cho again embarked on this music almost as if he had discussed it with Schumann himself! My feeling is that he projects Schumann’s spirit throughout, in the beautiful slow second movement as well as in the turbulent and emotional power of the three fast movements in which, as well as much dramatic playing, there are numerous touches of detail and contrasts, including a lightness of touch in the sprightly rhythms of the Scherzo. As in the concluding section of the Beethoven, he makes Schumann’s very fast ending unforgettable in its intensity.

Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No.1 is tone poem-like, subtitled “The Dance at the Village Inn”, which requires the pianist to turn storyteller. In this role, Mr Cho succeeds with full brilliance of technique and interpretation. Much thought is given to the slower, quieter sections, contrasting so well with his light-fingered runs in the higher registers which are breathtaking! Some applause is included after this on the CD, showing the audience’s enthusiastic reception!

There follows a truly lovely performance of Chopin’s famous ‘Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op.66’ and finally comes Jae Cho’s own solo piano transcription of Albert Hay Malotte’s setting of The Lord’s Prayer, which sounds most effective as after its climax it moves to a lovely calm ending.

Throughout this CD, Jae-Hyuck Cho shows himself to be a fine pianist capable of giving outstanding interpretations in several different styles of music. He is in such good command of technique that he can communicate the essence of each composer’s thoughts to the full.
The recording and the piano sound are excellent, giving the feeling of being present at the recital. There is virtually no audience sound.

The booklet is excellent, with concise, informative notes on each work written by Spencer Myer from the USA. The American spellings – and usage – have been retained both in these notes and in the comprehensive career profile of Mr. Cho. The booklet is well illustrated with photographs. Dunelm Records is to be congratulated on another splendid CD production.

Very highly recommended, especially to all interested in outstanding young pianists!

Jae Hyuck Cho | Pianist | Website by Mary-Ann Tu