In Beethoven’s world

Published February 24, 2020
Alessandro Commellato performs at the Arts Council on Saturday evening.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
Alessandro Commellato performs at the Arts Council on Saturday evening.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star

KARACHI: It was a special concert. Music lovers who turned up to listen to Italian pianist Alessandro Commellato at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, on Saturday evening were treated to a brilliant recital of Ludwig van Beethoven’s compositions. It was such a good performance that one felt sad the auditorium was not packed to capacity. Still, the decent number of people that were there got to see and hear how an exceptional musician pays tribute to a master.

Commellato played three pieces: sonata no: 14 in C sharp minor op 27 (Quasi Una Fantasia), variations and fugue in E flat major op 33 (Eroica Variations) and sonata no: 23 in F minor op 57 (Appassionato). Sounds heavy, doesn’t it? No. At the hands of a worthy artist, it’s storytelling with the touch of a feather.

The first piece, which is also called ‘Moonlight Sonata’, had three movements. From the get-go, it was evident that the pianist was no ordinary individual. There was a poetic progression to the notes and Commellato made the audience not just hear the nighttime story in the movements but also visualise it.

The second piece had a somber feel to it. The musician’s command of the technical aspects of playing came to the fore in it because it required a flawless coordination of both hands without compromising on the context of the composition. And he was just too good.

The final item, like the first one, had three movements, which meant that it too had a trajectory played out with the help of delectable notes. Commellato was totally immersed in the act, making sure that the art of Beethoven is communicated to Karachi’s audiences in all its purity of form and content.

Commellato made the audience not just hear the nighttime story in the movements but also visualise it

Earlier, Italian Consul General in Karachi Anna Ruffino introduced to the audience both the pianist and the background to the compositions he was slated to play. The event was organised by the Italian consulate in Karachi in collaboration with the Arts Council.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.