(Right: James
Oesi)
Oesi can be described as being a true artist
in his evocation of mood. (Review by Dr Martin Goldstein)
The Friends of Music recital on July 23,
2019, featured the internationally renowned double bassist James Oesi
accompanied by highly accomplished pianist Andrea Vasi. Throughout the programme,
they revealed their considerable knowledge of the repertoire in the informative
introductions which they gave to the pieces. Vasi managed some very challenging
accompaniments. Together, they showed how such contrasting instruments can
become one in an act of artistic collaboration.
Oesi performed Psy by Luciano Berio (1925-2003), Sonata in A major for violin and
piano by César Franck (1822-1890), Violin sonata no. 4, HWV 371, by George
Frideric Handel (1685-1759), Kaddisch from the Deux Mélodies Hébraïques by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), Poucha Das by Francois Rabbath (1931-), Clair de Lune from Suite Bergamasque by
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) and Czárdás
by Vittorio Monti (1868-1922).
In the Berio, Oesi revealed his great
passion as a performer. He had excellent intonation and produced a lovely
vibrato. He can be described as being a true artist in his evocation of mood.
Franck’s Sonata in A major for violin and
piano was composed in the summer of 1886 and was dedicated to Eugène Ysaÿe, a
Belgian violinist, conductor and composer, as a wedding present. Ysaÿe
performed the work at his own wedding and later made the work famous. Oesi
performed the work in a convincing fashion on the double bass making it sound
as though this piece was written for the instrument. The finale, Allegretto
poco mosso, is a type of rondo in which Franck’s famous theme appears as a
canon at the octave.
In the Handel, Oesi pulled off a
considerable feat performing a challenging violin work on the double bass. In
the Larghetto, his expressive touch really came to the fore.
In the Debussy, Oesi’s brought out the
melody on the double bass far more effectively than a solo pianist ever could.
The Rabbath, dedicated to the famous sitar
player, Ravi Shankar, evokes the sound of this instrument. This Eastern sound
was interwoven with a more Western melody. Oesi performed this challenging work
with incredible virtuosity.
In the Ravel, Oesi displayed such a feel
for the Jewish idiom and he really put his soul into it.
The Monti showcased the double bass at its
best in the Latin genre and Oesi revealed his incredible agility in the higher
register.
The Prelude Performer, Molly Dzangare (soprano),
accompanied by Bobby Mills, put on a breathtaking performance. She performed
Handel’s Tornami a vagghegiar from Alcina, Puccini’s Quando men vo from La Bohème
and Vissi dárte from Tosca. The Handel was never harried and
showcased her incredible high notes and trills. She revealed a competent
understanding of the Italian libretto. In the Quando men vo, she displayed considerable strength and richness. In
the Vissi dárte, she revealed her
ability to sing in a contrasting genre. Her performance throughout had remarkable
strength and reserve. – Dr Martin Goldstein
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