In concert: In the company of masters
Isabel and Stephan played compositions by Johan Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, Ferrucio Busoni and Johan Brahms — compositions that span from the 17th to the 19th century. The duo played solo and duet pieces and displayed their mastery over the piano for nearly two hours with a quick intermission in between.
Rahn presented Bach and Busoni’s Chaconne from Partita 11 while Von Bernstorff played Bach and Busoni, Call to You, Lord Jesus Christ and Awake the Voice is Sounding in soft, lilting and flowing piano music.
Isabel von Bernstorff received a scholarship for her German Music Competition in 2008 along with the Zonta Music Award the same year. She has pursued a career as a concert musician and has studied chamber music as well and performs abroad regularly.
Stephan Rahn has studied theory of piano, cembalo and music at the Universities for Music (Germany), and has performed solo and chamber music in several countries. He is the artistic director of the Festival of Contemporary Music. It was Rahn’s second visit to Pakistan.
The most enjoyable compositions included a duet recital by the pianists of Schubert’s Allegro with its playful, flirty and rhythmic tones. Liszt’s Unsospiro by Rahn had melodious, chiming music and it seemed as if the notes were talking to each other thus creating beautiful music. Six Hungarian dances with music by von Storff and Rahn followed and Liszt’s Variations on a Motiv was another delightful piece performed by Stephen Rahn. The evening ended with an encore performance.