Tyler Hay (piano)

Tyler Hay burst straight into Chopin’s Scherzo No 1 with all the energy of youth, Presto con fuoco, exciting stuff! He then achieved the lightest of touch for the Polish Carol section so when the bluster of the opening returned it was coloured by memories of this delicacy.

Haydn’s late E-flat major sonata, the delight of this programme, was a further example of restraint and stylish excellence. The young turk of the keyboard returned with Liszt’s diabolical yet lyrical Méphisto Waltz No 1 which contrasted brilliantly with his plangent ‘Variations on Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen’ and the gentle Mendelssohn encore.

Theatre Royal, Brighton, 17 May 2017

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