Cho & Park

Quite precise and soothing were the melodies which emanated from the violin strings of Hyun Park. Grace Cho, on the other hand, undertook an elegant counterpoint holding her own as well as any veteran of the Chopin #1 could hope and found a welcome home in the ears of her audience. Such was the power, however, which Park held over the audience members that each one found his or herself at her mercy on each delicate stroke. The opening Preludes started off the concert with a “bang” (!), offering up bluesy harmonies by Gershwin. The Andante con moto e poco rubato movement especially provided a reflective atmosphere to this opening set. In strident and melodious tones, the Bernstein ‘Serenade’ was then brought to fruition and arrived at the eager ears of the audience like nectar from the gods.

In Park’s introduction to the suite, she noted how these songs were “inspired by love”, and so did this voyage commence, greatly to be expounded throughout the Phaedrus (Lento – Allegro), Eryximachus (Presto), Agathon (Adagio), and Socrates (Molto Tenuto – Allegro Molto Vivace). Each chord which Cho nailed with aplomb, Park followed with another series of stirring strikes and, following smoothly, lilting passages with haunting resonance. Such a pattern was atypical of the concert overall, which featured a rousing Copland ‘Nocturne’, as well as the John Corigliano ‘Sonata for Violin and Piano’. This piece moved along hungrily through each of its movements, building up strongly towards the final Allegro, which provided a sonorous finale to the evening with stupendous bursts from the violin and hammering notes on the piano.

It is our sincere hope that these two splendid artists will grace these white walls with their fine music again someday. Until then, Park is headed off to Chicago for another concert date and Cho will be continuing her teaching and conducting in Maryland.