Anna Vinnitskaya

I had the opportunity to hear the pianist Anna Vinnitskaya, over Memorial Day Weekend.  She played the Brahms Concerto No. 1.  It was truly amazing.  And the additional gem of the evening was having Thomas Wilkins conduct the Columbus Symphony.

Ms. Vinnitskaya played beautifully.  The concerto is difficult, and she "really gave it up" for the fans.  Any work by Brahms is not for the faint of heart, and Ms. Vinnitskaya proved she was up to the challenge.  I particularly loved the second movement, the Adagio.  She played with great feeling and conviction, and there is a feeling of being taken to another place and time whenever you hear this movement.

But for me it is the last movement, because as you listen to you get the feeling you are hearing Bach and Beethoven.  The great composers are intertwined in the theme.  It is so amazing.  I also add that the performances by the oboes and bassoons of the orchestra added so much.  There is much quality musicianship in the Columbus Symphony.

Maestro Wilkins was so touched by Ms. Vinnitskaya's playing, and even wiped the sweat off her brow with his hankerchief  He is one conductor, who can convey so much about his love for a performer, without saying a word.  He's simply amazing.

In fact, Thomas Wilkins' story should be noted.  I read on Wikipedia that he was raised by a single mom.  When he was very young he heard an orchestral performance of The Star Spangled Banner, and that inspired him right then and there to be a conductor.  That is simply so amazing.  It is exactly that type of humble beginning, that reminds us all, that we truly can do and be anything.

Back to Ms. Vinnitskaya, she simply was so connected to the concerto, the orchestra and the director. I often wonder how one digs that deep to play with such great courage.  You can listen to her wonderful music as she records on the French label Naive.  Her first CD contains works by Rachmaninov, Gubaidulina, Medtner and Prokofiev. She also has a third CD dedicated to Maurice Ravel.  So much music to listen to and yet so little time.

As an amateur, it was a beautiful night of piano.  It is amazing what one instrument with 88 keys can bring to the table, especially when played by such a capable artist as Anna Vinnitskaya!