Pianist Matthew Van Hoose in performance a Bryan Cultural Series performance at All Saints Episcopal Church.Pianist Matthew Van Hoose Brilliant
The Bryan Cultural Series has been bringing some extraordinary artists to the Outer Banks for the past six years. With pianist Matthew Van Hoose they seem to have raised the bar to a whole new level Thursday night.-
Playing at All Saints Episcopal Church in Southern Shores, Van Hoose played qa beautiful, remarkable tribute to Beethoven and Chopin.
Beginning with Beethoven's Sonata in F minor Op. 57 the Appassionata or Passion sonata, the complex and textured world of the master's composition came to life.
Beethoven is often described as mercurial man given to extremes of emotion. Passionate and unpredictable, the Appassionata seems a reflection of the man.
It is beautiful music, and as Van Hoose's fingers flew across the keyboard, the composition came to life.
The Beethoven sonata was followed by a selection of Chopin nocturnes and his Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60.
The nocturnes are what Chopin is undoubtedly best known for—and they were everything anyone could expect from him...and played to perfection.
But the Barcorelle, patterned after the songs of Venetian gondoliers was a revelation for many in the audience.
A beautiful melody seemed to emerge from time to time from intricate chords of the piece, almost like a gondolier, singing to the night, emerging from beneath one of the many bridges of Venice.
The Bryan Cultural Series brings a variety of events to the Outer Banks, including lectures, musicians, the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Company and—next on tap—the Elbert Watson Dance Ensemble on Sunday, March 25 at First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills.
Currently living in Norfolk, Watson has toured the world as principal dancer with a number of dance companies and he continues to work with a number of dance companies as a choreographer. His style is a combination of ballet and modern dance.
