Anthony Hewitt - Review (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Anthony Hewitt - Review

4:00pm Wednesday 6th May 2009

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Anthony Hewitt, The Dysart Arms

Last Sunday evening at The Dysart Arms’ monthly classical concert, there were gasps of astonishment , loud cheers, resounding "bravos" and tears of joy.

Playing on the lovely old Bechstein piano, Anthony Hewitt proved to us that these accolades were absolutely justified.

The carefully constructed programme focused on Schumann; Hewitt is in the process of recording all the composer’s piano works. He took us on a magical journey, visiting Bach and Chopin as well as Schumann himself. He did this ,not only with music, but with words, enhancing our appreciation of the pieces with informative yet informal and, often, humorous explanations.

The evening started with an exhilarating Toccata in C minor by Bach ,followed, daringly, by Schumann’s own Toccata (Opus 7). Here, Hewitt’s fleetness, dexterity and attack were astonishing. The first half concluded with two Chopin pieces; the beautiful Barcarolle, transporting us to Venice where we could hear the blades of the gondoliers’ oars in the water and the much – loved Scherzo no 2 in B flat minor-,in Hewitt’s hands shining like a brilliant diamond.

The second half of the programme was devoted to Schumann’s Carnaval-an ambitious, demanding work of 21 “sketches”- a masquerade featuring characters from history, folklore and the composer’s own fervid imagination. Each of these miniatures were clear, true and precisely depicted in Hewitt’s compelling performance. The final piece, a rousing March left the stunned audience, clamouring for more.

We were rewarded with an encore of Schubert’s Impromptu-a performance of such beauty and sensitivity that many of the audience were moved to tears.

This was a remarkable evening in an unusual setting; many of the audience, which included several young and not so young admirers, had come to the Dysarts after hearing Hewitt at St Anne’s Church in Kew two weeks ago. Many remarked how delighted they were to be able to hear great music so close to home.

There will be another “local” opportunity to hear Anthony Hewitt play when he gives a solo recital at The Musical Museum , Brentford, May 9.

Carolina Bevilacqua

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