Brighton Festival – Jamie Cochrane (piano)
No fuss, just a ripple of applause, a moment of calm, then fortissimo G octaves. The following pianissimo theme drew us immediately into Schubert’s ‘better world’ of major/minor, calm and angst. Cochrane played the four Impromptus with this combination of delicacy and vigour, the triplets as light as you could ever want.
Jamie Cochrane
This would have been an excellent concert on its own and was received generous applause, until with hardly a break, Cochrane launched into the Liszt, one of the greatest peaks of the piano repertoire. The emotional range of the Schubert was great but Liszt when he composed the B minor sonata was decades older, a seasoned and extravagant concert virtuoso, and the piano itself had been developed so much more by 1853. There was so much more for our young pianist to explore. Cochrane held his capacity audience in thrall. Surely he was not surprised by the strength of the applause? He certainly deserved it. This laddy has talent, stamina and a winning modesty that promises a long and popular career.
Brighton Dome Studio Theatre,
13 May 2025
Rating:
Andrew Connal
–
Jamie Cochrane (piano)
Schubert : Four Impromptus, D. 899
Liszt : Sonata in B minor, S. 178
