Time stands still (5): Joanna MacGregor
Posted in Classical on Jul 20th, 2008 2 Comments »
One of the most remarkable recitals I went to at Wigmore Hall was on 2 April 2001. The pianist was Joanna MacGregor and she was giving a recital of twentieth century works by Samuel Barber, George Crumb and Stravinsky. Ms MacGregor is not conventional - either in appearence or musicianship. She has long twisted, black hair. She wore a trouser suit. In the George Crumb piece you saw her dive into the belly of the piano to pluck and strum the strings inside.
In her prelude to Stravinsky’s Petrushka she plays a snatch of Russian melody (I missed the beginning). This is followed by a charming little waltz. Then you can hear her wind up a music box. The music box plays the Russian song. For a while she accompanies the music box on the piano. She falls silent and lets the music box run down. You hold your breath.
Then she thunders into Petrushka.
The effect is magical.
There is a moving encore.
An American couple had wandered in out of the rain and sat near me during the recital. I talked to them about it afterwards. They were as stunned as I was.
