CIM: Cavani String Quartet, Joan Kwoun, Antionio Pompa-Balidi

Schubert: Impromptu No. 3 in B-flat Major, D. 935 (op. posth. 143), Theme and Variations*
Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9*
Chausson: Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet in D Major, Op. 21**
*- Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano
**-Joan Kwuon, violin; Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano; The Cavani Strong Quartet (Annie Fullard, Mari Sato, violin; Kirsten Docter, viola; Merry Peckham, cello)

The beautiful thing about classical music is that you can find your thoughts while listening just as easily as you can loose them while soaking in music. Tonight was a night where I wanted to get lost: My pile of work at work seems to be growing faster than I can eat away at it, and in my personal life I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that as a sports-apathetic, performing-arts loving Clevelander I'm undatable. Sigh. Anyway.

Over the summer an acquaintance asked me, jokingly, if I was going through concert withdrawal; I have to admit that between few concerts at CIM and a the summer hiatus that most of the theatrical companies go thorough... I think I was. Thus, I couldn't let myself miss this, the first recital of Cleveland Institute of Music's 2010-11 school year.

I've mentioned before that both the piano as a solo instrument and Schubert as a composer can be a challenge for me. Opening the recital with the two combined--Schubert's Impromptu No. 3--held my interest initially but as the sensation of repetition built, the noise of my thoughts took over and I spent too much time trying to order and filter hose.

Following, also a piece for solo piano, Schumann's Carnival was a fascinating mix of textures, leaving no room for the noise of my thoughts--but unfortunately, a noisy hearing aid took its place for the first few movements--the 21 movements in the piece blended nearly seamlessly and ranged in emotion, but I have to call the Preambule, where Mr. Pompa-Baldi's fingers flew across the keyboard, but each note clearly heard, my favorite.

Following an intermission where I had the pleasure of meeting some of CIM's newest students, Mr. Pompa-Baldi was joined by Joan Kwuon and the Cavani String Quartet for Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet. Though generally more somber than I would like -- and a gentleman behind me felt the need to narrate the performance quite loudly -- the piece was beautifully played by all involved. The soulful dance of the 2nd movement (Siclienne) was my favorite from the evening. The 3rd movement (Grave) could be called the most evocative, however, with the early portions of the movement conjuring the ominous image of walking with despair down a long and lonely hallway...or perhaps to one's grave...though the end of the movement offers a parting of the dark clouds where the sun begins to peak out and offer hope.

Lincoln