Piano quintets usually are second-half addenda to string quartet concerts. On Saturday night, though, Chamber Music International presented…
Piano quintets usually are second-half addenda to string quartet concerts. On Saturday night, though, Chamber Music International presented pianist Joyce Yang and the Alexander String Quartet in not one, not two, but three piano quintets, at Moody Performance Hall.
A mere 19 when she took second prize in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the Korean-born Yang fairly radiated enthusiasm, and she’s been a favorite with area audiences ever since. Her significant concert career since then has included 10 years of performing with the San Francisco-based Alexander.
Saturday’s program was framed by two of the most beloved piano quintets, by Schumann and Dvorák —also staples of the Cliburn’s chamber-music round. Before the concert began, I confess to thinking, “Oh, the Schumann again…” But I can’t remember a performance as gloriously alive, as lovingly shaped and detailed, as innocent of routine. Again and again, a particularly elegant turn of phrase, a perfectly timed hesitation, prompted a smile.
