Paul Shaw, Lorna Myers cast a spell

Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor

"When a student walks into my studio for a piano lesson, he receives the sum of all those who influenced my life - the technical instructions and aesthetic judgement that was delivered..." taken from programme notes.

This was vividly demonstrated last Saturday night at the Ward Theatre, downtown Kingston when Dr. Paul Shaw, concert pianist performed at the 50th Anniversary Gala Concert of the School of Visual Art, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.

He did not only 'romance' the instrument, but was able to commandeer it into presenting Mussorgsky's Picture At An Exhibition with an orchestration that was subtle in parts and deliberate in others.

The work

Artist-architect Victor Alexan-drovich Hartmann mounted an exhibition of design drawings and paintings in St. Petersburg in 1873. After his death, Mussorgsky decided to commemorate in music some of the pictures he had seen. The composition was first performed in 1874.

And in playing this grand piece, Dr. Shaw was able to provide the colour that is demanded of this piece through instrumentation.

The Promenade, which represents 10 of the more than 400 pictures viewed, worked in conveying the idea of an imaginative stroll among the pictures, while recalling memories of his friend.

That work included a modified form of the Catacombs, which was elegantly delivered. The pianist also re-enacted the undaunted spirit of the Russian people, who were taught not to think defeat. His reading of the work was the high point of the recital.

The pictures

The Gnome - a toy design - was played in the style of the grotesque Nutcracker.

The Old Castle - depicted a water-colour of a troubadour singing outside a medieval castle. It was meticulously played and had an emotional impact.

The Bydlo - portrayed a Polish cart with huge wheels.

Ballet Of The Chickens In Their Shells - derived from costume designs by Hartmann for a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.

Two Polish Jews - derived from two pencil drawings, one of a rich Jew and the other a poor Sandomir Jew.

The Market Place At Limoges - suggested the gossiping and gesticulating of women in the market.

Catacombs - the interior of catacombs of Paris.

Andante described the creative spirit of the dead.

The Hut On Fowl's Legs - a Russian clock of the 14th century also known as 'Baba Yaga's Hut' - a figure of Russian folklore.

The Great Gate of Kiev - a design for a new and massive gate to the city.

This latter movement was the most outstanding. Dr. Shaw was able to present the exhibition sharply and expressively with chromatics, dominated by contrasting themes. It was acerbic and lyrical.

The programme was shared by three other past students of the School of Music, Lorna Myers, mezzo soprano; Jennifer Huie; soprano and Cecil Cooper, tenor.

As usual, Cooper was dramatic and gave a convincing presentation, although his interpretation of Evening Time was tame.

Jennifer Huie's voice was not in peak form as she had a throat problem. Her perseverance was admirable and her singing range enviable.

It was Lorna Myers who brought the house down, not only with her beautiful voice, but her stage demeanour which was full of grace and style. Myers is revered by music lovers here and overseas as the classical artiste whose sensibility touches hearts and excites imagination.

Of particular interest was her Tocsca Giacomo Puccini - Vissi d'tarte; Carmen by George Bizet; L'Amour est un oiseau rebelle and her reading of La Favorita. She used mystique and showmanship to captivate the fair-sized audience, which would not let her go. Accompanist Roger Williams showed competence. However, he needed to have given each performer more emotional support.

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