In the universe of pianists, there are two kinds of pianists, those that mesmerize us with their technique and energy and those that simply transcend the instrument and elevate us into a world of magic, creativity, drama, beauty, emotion, mystery and tragedy. Josu de Solaun belongs to the latter.

Everything about him fits this category.  His stage presence, his warmth and humility when connecting with the audience are disarming and he just gently invites the audience into the world he so passionately loves.

Two towering masterpieces were presented to the audience, Schumann’s Grand Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11 preceded by Concert Allegro in B Minor, Op. 8 (1831) and Prokofiev’s War Sonata Nr. 8 in B-flat major, Op. 84 (1944) preceded by Prelude in C Major, Op. 12 Nr. 7.

As Josu De Solaun opened his recital, he carefully set the stage for the drama that was going to unfold in front of us. The Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11, which as Schuman told his wife Clara, was, "a solitary outcry for you from my heart ... in which your theme appears in every possible shape through the two contrasting characters”.   Florestan and Eusebius, two imaginary alter egos created by Robert Schumann to represent different aspects of his personality and compositional style.

This extraordinarily complex Sonata in F-Sharp minor by Schumann came to life under the marvelous hands of this extraordinary artist.  A theatrical, operatic and unparallelled experience where you simply forgot that you were listening to a pianist. The depiction of every character was clear, and masterfully described to us and you were able to visualize them as living organisms. 

The drama continued to unfold in the second half of the program, as Josu De Solaun masterfully performed Prokofiev’s War Sonata Nr. 8 in B-flat major, Op. 84 (1944) preceded by Prelude in C Major, Op. 12 Nr. 7.  This powerful sonata is the largest of the Three War Sonatas, and it is a metaphor for the hopelessness of the early years of war, Russia's history, and victory and the greatness of the human spirit, it represents not only the distillation but perhaps the culmination of Prokofiev’s creative life.  Once again, Josu De Solaun powerfully conveyed the meaning of this masterpiece, and the audience, profoundly moved, burst into prolonged applause.    

This unforgettable recital concluded with Debussy’s Ondine, which conjures the image of a water nymph, with its cascading and fluid melodies, creating an evocative and otherworldly atmosphere that is quintessentially Debussy. A marvelous end to a very special evening. 

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