The reverberations from the piano and cello concert by renowned pianist and lawyer, Louis Mbanefo and music composer and Cello maestro, Thomas Kanitz is still being felt nearly a month after the concert held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. Both performers are recognised for their musical prowess and engaged the spellbound audience.
The concert guests were a mixed audience who had come to hear the beautiful sounds of classical music –composed by Beethoven, Schubert and Vivaldi, performed by two outstanding musicians –Mbanefo and Kanitz.
Besides the personalities for the night, the stage complemented the event as drapes of different colours were used to create a vibrant ambience and reflect the mood of the pieces played. Starting with Antonio Vivaldi's Red Priest piece sonata No. 6 in B-flat major, Mbanefo flaunted his command of the black and white keys of the piano. Creating different colours of music in the four movement piece, Mbanefo set up a rhythmic tone with accompaniments beyond imagination.
Joining him on stage, the cello maestro Kanitz, displayed an unequivocal dexterity as both played one of the greatest composers Ludwig van Beethoven's sonata for violoncello and piano, A-Major, Op. 69 piece. Starting off with the violoncello, Kanitz maintained a striking balance as he and Mbanefo went back and forth with the three movement piece in a melodic interplay.
A bit melancholic, this symphony ostentatiously captured the innate strength of the instrumentalists. They both returned on stage after a brief interval to play the contemporary Nigerian composer Pemi Oludare piece, 'Irapada'. This was followed by Schubert's impromptu for piano. Schubert is famous for his impromptus which are eight in series.
Playing Op. 90 and G major, Mbanefo again showed his astounding finesse on the piano. For the next 20 minutes, Mbanefo and Kanitz entertained the audience with a powerful rendition of Schubert's Sonata Arpeggione in A minor. This three movement piece is the only substantial composition for the Arpeggione which exists today. Enticing the audience with its crescendos and decrescendos, the players showed a fine, if not aggressive dialogue of the piano and violoncello.
This particular piece was composed during Schubert's deteriorating health and was specifically designed for bowed strings guitar but there have been contemporary transcriptions with the cello and viola.
Though grim in nature, Mbanefo and Kanitz added a scintillating touch to this piece with its breezy and romantic rhythm. Kanitz particularly exuded a ravishing glow with his fingers on the violoncello, breathing in the rhythm as he created resplendent beautiful sounds. Mbanefo on his part tried to maintain balance, meeting up with the demand of the violoncello as he struck the keys with vigour as if he was duelling with Kanitz.
This brilliant piece earned them a standing ovation and an encore. No wonder the cultured lawyer was surrounded by loved ones at the end of the show, shaking and back slapping him in admiration.
An elderly guest shook his hand fondly and paid him a compliment on maintaining his stance on the piano. Accompanied by his lovely wife Monica, the two made an enviable couple.
The reputable lawyer built his passion for the piano at an early age of six. He received his first piano lesson from a church organist in Onitsha and had remained faithful to the instrument ever since. While studying Law at Queens College, Cambridge University, he attended music lessons and performed in various concerts at the University.
He is also one of the founding members of the Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON, and has served in various committees of the body. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St Saviours' Schools Ikoyi and Ebutte Metta and also the Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria Kanitz is well kwwnown for his versatile musical background as an illustrious performer.
The German player is notable for his vast knowledge as a composer, instructor and performer as well. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Muson Symphony Orchestra. • Ms. Obioha is a Lagos-based writer and reviewer.
National Mirror