Sonata In Heh Major

On Saturday, it was the last evening recital at Gallery 345 for the Fall season. I dropped by to listen to Sarah Hagen (piano) and Leslie Ting (violin) play 4 pieces: K.380 Sonata in Eb Major (Mozart), Opus 121 Sonata No 2 in D Minor (Schumann), Fantasy on a Theme of Schubert (Rival), and Opus 96 Sonata No 10 in G Major (Beethoven).

I thought the Mozart piece was fussy and as Hagen pointed out, unmistakably Mozart. The Schumann was my favourite with all 3 movements engaging and fresh. The Rival piece was too short, though I did enjoy the scritchy sound of the violin at the beginning, resembling someone whistling a folk tune. The 1st movement from the Beethoven was tender and moving, but I was bored with the other two.

Ms. Ting and Ms. Hagen were charming MCs. Perhaps it was the intimacy of a small crowd, most of whom seemed to also be ex-residents from Hagen's hometown of Courtenay B.C., but there was much laughter from her banter. Hagen even made a pun when she said that playing Opus 96 was "trilling" for her and Ting. Mostly, she gave background and motivation for each piece, highlighting tidbits: the Brahms-esque 2nd movement in the Schumann piece; or the volume change of the 2nd movement in Beethoven which, along with its folksy scherzo, suggested a pedestrian approaching and moving past some festive musical performance. It was an informative and convivial atmosphere that sometimes elude classical recitals. Given my enjoyment of Schumann, I'll have to keep an eye out for Ms. Hagen's next album comprising of the music of Clara and Robert Schumann.