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Artist Salon
Celebrate Mozart & Austria!
Cezara-Lucia Vladescu, Piano
Roland Batik, Piano
(Roland Batik Website)
At
Bösendorfer New York
www.bosendorfernewyork.com
200 Lexington Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10016
212.684.1956
Gerhard Feldmann, President, and Lisa L. Feldmann, EVP
And
Bösendorfer Loudspeakers, powered by Einstein's "The Absolute Tune" and fed by Einstein's "The Last Record Player" - connected via Dynamic Design cabling
Welcome Comments by Lisa L. Feldmann
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
April 12, 2006
(See a CD Review of Roland Batik Trio).
(See a Feature on the Bösendorfer Loudspeakers).
Program:
Cezara-Lucia Vladescu, Pianist
Bach-Busconi: Chaconne
Ravel: Sonatine
Ginastera: Danzas Argentinas
Roland Batik:
Batik: Blues in F
Mozart: Fantasie in D-minor, KV 397
Batik: Interlude
Mozart: Sonate in F-major KV 332
Gulda: Play Piano Play, No. 1, 5, 8
Batik: Waltz for Patricia
Batik: New Impressions
Roland Batik, born in Vienna, trained at Vienna University and with Friedrich Gulda (a renowned pianist-composer), followed by Fritz Pauer. He performed for many years with the unconventional Gulda, but now performs on his own and with his trio. His solo concerts include classical and romantic works, as well as original compositions in the genre of jazz. The trio, founded in 1977, includes a bassist and drummer, but he also records with a vibraphonist. Mr. Batik has received numerous awards and honors. Cezara-Lucia Vladescu, of Romania, studied piano with Professor Alexander Jenner in Austria. She has performed internationally, including Carnegie Hall, and now studies in Germany. Ms. Vladescu presents original jazz compositions in Austria and Germany. (Assisted by Program Notes). These two artists were well matched for this Salon.
Tonight’s Bösendorfer New York Artist Salon, organized by Lisa L. Feldmann and Gerhard Feldmann, in celebration of Mozart and Austria, and attended by Consul-General of Austria, Dr. Brigitta Blaha, was marked by two piano concerts, the first, an introduction with Cezara-Lucia Vladescu of Romania, and the second, a full concert of Mozart, Gulda, and original jazz by Roland Batik. Ms. Vladescu performed the Bach-Busconi with ease, before plunging into the Ravel Sonatine. This young artist played the Bösendorfer with remarkable poise, as well as with passionate energy. The Ginastera Danzas Argentinas, with their hints of the tango and Latin temperament, flowed with a dervish of vibrant rhythm and exoticism.
Roland Batik began his program with an unlisted work, the solo piano from the third movement of Haydn’s Piano Concerto N. 1 in F major. Mr. Batik found variations in touch and lightness in tone in this refined Presto movement. His own Blues in F was seamlessly performed, with but a pause, along with Mozart’s Fantasie in D-minor. This juxtaposition was brilliantly conceived, to exemplify Mozart’s youthfulness and improvisational genius. Mr. Batik’s jazz composition was both sophisticated and carefree, and his intense performance style brought out the richness of the Bösendorfer (Mr. Batik also owns and plays Bösendorfers in his native Austria). The Mozart work includes a dance-like refrain, contrasting to slower, more melancholy passages. I remember musing that Mozart never sounded so refreshing.
The Batik Interlude was impressionistic and bluesy, as it morphed into Mozart’s Sonate in F-major. Its racing themes, following more structured, dynamic passages, were performed in somewhat the same style as Mr. Batik’s original jazz. The exquisite contours of the Mozart work were replete with lightning fingering and a sense of soulful longing. Mr. Batik skipped to the Gulda Play Piano Play N. 1, transitioning into his own Waltz for Patricia, a tribute to his daughter, Patrizia Pilwachs, who sat in the audience. Both works were introspective, innovative, and contemporary with fused, jazz and world music elements.
The final work, Mr. Batik’s New Impressions, was evocative of Bill Evans’ repertoire, soft as snowflakes, and, once again, fused with jazz and new music qualities. It is certain that the international music community will hear much of Roland Batik, the performer and composer. Cezara-Lucia Vladescu also has a promising career to watch. A reception followed with a selection of European cheeses and fine Austrian wines.
Cezara-Lucia Vladescu
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cezara-Lucia Vladescu and Roland Batik
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cezara-Lucia Vladescu and Roland Batik
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Larry Borden, Guest, and Roland Batik
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Post-Concert Reception
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Elisabeth, Michael, Gerhard
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lisa's Roses
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lisa Feldmann and Guests from the Consulate General of Austria
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lisa's Orchids
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bösendorfer Loudspeaker System
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cezara and Friend
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Maja and Elisabeth
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Post-Concert Reception
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Gerhard and Friend
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Post-Concert Reception
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bösendorfer Boutique
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bösendorfer Loudspeakers
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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