Review by Jill Hopkins

PIZARRO’S recital comprised two lengthy cycles of piano pieces, each influenced by works of art. The first, Goyescas by Granados, is based on eight paintings by Goya and in particular their palette of colour and various styles of painting technique, rather than the stories told.

Granados’s beautiful lyrical lines of melody flow voluptuously with multi changes of mood - quizzical, romantic, ‘smooth’, pensive, ease of ‘salon’ manner and many others.

Candlelight Fandango caught the rhythm of Spanish life and Love and Death was epitomised by passionate outbursts and long yearning melodic phrases. In Epilogue: Ghost’s Serenade skittish timing and jocular staccato were prominent Prokofiev’s Ten Pieces from Romeo & Juliet are adaptations of the ballet inspired by Shakespeare’s play. Much of this music is coquettish with jaunty tempi overlaid with poetic beauty and intensified with rich harmonies.

Staccato within Minuet was carefully pointed, Friar Lawrence was a gorgeous slow, expressive harmonised melody and in Romeo & Juliet Before Parting we heard a reprise of an earlier flute solo.

This was a rather disappointing concert as Pizarro did not seem to be comfortable with his programme. Many of the movements merged and lost their individual identities.

However, a Chopin waltz was played as an encore and was sublime – if only the whole concert had been so!