Fontana Concert Association, California
…a gorgeous interpretation of Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor…. [In] Dave Brubeck’s Blue Rondo a la Turk [displayed] real jazz chops.
This isn’t really a true review; it’s more of a report. I tried to describe the concert in a way that will answer the questions presenters seem to have. They need to know that it is a serious recital with no dancing girls or strobe lights, but that it is a most enjoyable program by an appealing performer. We are all trying to find artists who will be appreciated by both extremes of our audience: the true music connoisseurs and the seekers of a nice afternoon’s entertainment. Dan can do just that!
I will be sharing this report with several other Community Concert Associations in California, and I hope we can hear Dan in Hemet sometime in the future.
[NB: In March, 2010, Smith is appearing at Community Concert Assn. venues in Fullerton, Hemet, Escondido, Ramona, and Indian Wells, California.]
PIANIST DAN FRANKLIN SMITH
About a month ago, I had the pleasure of hearing pianist Dan Franklin Smith’s recital for the Fontana CCA. Previously, I knew this musician by recording and reputation only, and he lived up to the high expectations caused by both. He had several distractions to overcome: due to a stage set for another production, the piano was set back on the stage, making a rather large distance between him and the audience; and there were occasional loud backstage hammering noises. None of this seemed to bother him—his playing was secure and centered throughout.
On paper, his program of variations looked interesting, but I worried it might be too heavy or dry. I was needlessly concerned—it turned out to be a beautifully constructed and performed program. Starting with the cheery music of Czerny’s “Variations of a Beloved Viennese Waltz”, the first half continued with a virtuosic performance of Beethoven’s F major Variations, Op. 34, and ended with a gorgeous interpretation of Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor, Op. 52.
The second half of the concert began with Rachmaninoff’s Corelli Variations, but my personal favorites were Dave Brubeck’s Blue Rondo a la Turk, performed with real jazz chops, and Granados’ ravishing The Maiden and the Nightingale. The program ended with a lively El Vito by Infante. Mr. Smith demonstrated fluency in all these differing styles, finding the unique colors and drama in each piece. His performance style was physically subdued, so the listener was not distracted from his accomplished music-making by extraneous gesticulation; yet he was a charming and appealing stage presence.
Throughout the program, Mr. Smith’s commentary and brief examples illuminated the form and fascination of “theme and variations,” making it possible for even musical laymen to appreciate them. Potential presenters should not worry that there was nothing “familiar” in this program — any audience would find this music enjoyable. This concert was proof again that good music played well transcends all barriers!
— Diane Mitchell, Fontana Concert Association, California