Double your pleasure

"Richard Raymond in the Théâtre Maisonneuve...
The assembly of connoisseurs heard music-making of a high order. 

It was an offbeat program of the type critics love. Dohnanyi’s Four Rhapsodies Op. 11 might be derivative of Brahms and Liszt, but Raymond, by dint of sheer rhetorical authority, made them sound original. There was much for piano freaks to admire.  Such iron in the left hand, such fire in the right! 

Liszt’s Venezia e Napoli triptych was remarkable for both its warm colours and songful sense of legato. To judge by the middle tune of the Tarantella, Raymond could add a class of Neapolitan ballads to his current pedagogical activities at McGill.”

Reubke: Piano Sonata in B-flat
Beethoven: Piano Sonata 21; Variations T andeln und Scherzen

"The Reubke Sonata is clearly Raymond's showpiece (he won the Fifth edition of the Web International Concert Hall Competition with it). Written by a young student of Liszt, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Master's B-minor Sonata. (Passages if the work contain embarrassing little microcosms of Liszt's masterpiece). This sonata is great theater, with demanding technical displays surpassing even Liszt's, and Raymond delivers all of the drama and poetry one could hope for, finally adding credibility to the notion that the work is deserving repertoire."

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony plumbs the depths in a musical Feast of Faust

"His Piano Concerto No.2 in A Major is just the challenge for a virtuoso like New Brunswick-born Raymond. Raymond now lives in Quebec, and has earned many coveted performance awards. Yesterday's audience quickly heard why, as Raymond is a dazzling virtuoso.

Tackling this intricately embroidered, one-movement concerto is not for the faint of heart. Tremendous physical and emotional strength characterize Raymond's style. To this, add Raymond's profound grasp of his relationship with the conductor and orchestra.

Both Liszt's Totentanz (Dance of Death; performed scarily perfect by Raymond), and the orchestra's Finale to Liszt's Faust Symphony, called Mephistopheles, allowed Streatfield and the symphony ample room to display their bold blend of orchestral colours."

"Fulminantes finale..."

"If piano playing ever becomes an Olympic sport, count on Richard Raymond to win the gold metal... a very romantic virtuoso... electrifying pianist..."

"His performance of the Beethoven 4th Piano concerto (with the Baltimore symphony) would not have been out of place in partnership with any orchestra in the world..."

"Raymond is a name to watch..."

"An electrifying performance..."

"A warmly expressive pianist..."

"He played with great assurance, at full power..."

"A fascinating performance, made remarkable by the absolute genius Raymond has for making the piano sing... a compelling imagination for shape and texture... an amazing control of tone and timbre..."

"Raymond comes across as a musician who knows exactly what he expects from a piece and how to get it..."

"He left the listener wanting much more... a clean but passionate player, who can make more music out of a five-note run than most manage from an entire movement..."

"Richard Raymond gave a beautiful performance, carefully balancing the subtle with the spectacular..."

"Raymond is blessed with an extraordinary technique that enables him to take difficult passages at an ambitious pace and yet make every note speak clearly..."

Virtuosi Concerts presents The Season Finale · SOLD OUT

Kaori Yamagami & the Bonjour Stradivari cello (1696)
Richard Raymond & the Ashkenazy Steinway

 

April 2, 2005 Programme:

HAYDN Divertimento; ROSS Lamentations for Solo Cello
LISZT Ballade No. 2 in b minor for Solo Piano
CHOPIN Polonaise Brillante in C Major, Op. 3
SCHUMANN Fantasiestucke (Fantasy-Pieces) Op.73
RACHMANINOV Sonata in g minor for Cello and Piano, Op.19

 

"Brimming with emotion ­ everything from dripping with tears to being coquettish and energetic, and brilliant. A wonderful grand finale"

"I feel like I've been treated to a sumptuous delectable feast, un affaire chocolat pour les oreilles"

"...a surfeit of musical riches!"

"One of the best concerts I have been to!! The fantastic performance combined with the excellent acoustics makes it a memorable experience. Thanks!"

"Another tour de force for Virtuosi Concerts - a dazzling finale to an exceptional season of concertizing."

"It was such an emotional evening! I found this duo mesmerizing and I was drawn in to the power and the flow of their sound!"

"They feed off each other's passion so well..."

"...creating wonderful rich sounds. They are a great duo that seems to breathe as one."