What can anyone say about two of the world’s most famous musicians?  Itzhak Perlman on violin and Rohan DeSilva on piano perform beautifully together.  The audience delighted in their performance – kudos to the Virginia Arts Festival for bringing some extraordinary artists!

Perlman and DeSilva first performed a very virtuosic Rondo by Schubert.  I’m not sure which came first, but the Rondo hauntingly reminded me of Schubert’s Appeggione Sonata – of course the melodies were disguised.  Perlman’s violin playing was so musical and so sweet.  His sound is very warm and inviting, and DeSilva’s piano playing was equally as musical.  The Allegro exemplified the Italian expression pui mosso, meaning more motion. Perlman made it look easy and sound graceful! 

The second selection by Richard Strauss really showed DeSilva’s range of musicality. Perlman was wonderful as always, so I was delighted to hear DeSilva performing with Perlman as a true “collaboration” rather than an “accompanist.”  The Strauss demanded fiery melodic material reminiscent of Erlkonig by Schubert and sometimes subtle chording under the violin solo.  One section was so lovely – DeSilva sounded like a harpist strumming beautiful strains with Perlman’s romantic solo.

The last announced selection was Lukas Foss’s American Pieces.  This selection was a series of showpieces with distinct sections of traditional music from our country.  There was a type of hoedown, ragtime, and several American melodic folk tunes. The audience welcomed the changed in mood to a more light-hearted, happy disposition.

Before attending this concert, I was afraid about one thing: a violin and a pianist would be lost in a hall as large as Chrysler Hall. 

The hall seats 2,400 people, definitely not a chamber music venue.

Perlman and DeSilva performed several short selections, the most beautiful of the entire concert being the Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73 by Robert Schumann.  Both Perlman and DeSilva shined in this selection, really showcasing Schumann’s skillful writing for both the piano and the violin.  You could tell that the performers enjoyed this part of the program the most.

Although I enjoyed the performance, I don’t think I will attend any more chamber music performances in Chrysler Hall.  I have been to some extraordinary chamber music performances but never in a hall that large.  You cannot see the performers’ faces and watch them communicate, and you cannot interact with the performers.  Historically, composers wrote chamber music to be played in homes, for small gatherings, and for interaction between the listeners and the performers.  I still enjoyed the performance, and I believe the audience did too, but I recommend sticking to the small halls for chamber music.