At St John’s Priory in Kilkenny, Pavel Kolesnikov gives an impressive performance following his participation in Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring piano-duet version. This time, he takes the stage alone to perform Bach’s another monumental creation, the Goldberg Variations.
Kolesnikov’s prowess as a piano player is out of the ordinary. His play would lead you to believe he is in command of every hue, impact or subtlety. He can use a soft murmur to make you incline towards your seat, a booming thunder to make you draw back. He possesses the ability to weave delicate textures or cut with the sound of steel-like precision, select any key from a rush for emphasis or de-emphasis, or sculpt scales with an effect mimicking the blur typically adored by cartoonists. I could carry on, but I believe the point is clear.
Regrettably, his choice to incorporate all of these elements and more into the Goldberg Variations is perplexing. His adaptation is overly self-centered. It provides intricate details about Kolesnikov but somehow overlooks Bach.