Pianist Ernest So Introduces Unknown Composers

Hong Kong pianist Ernest So takes his bows after his Bangkok appearance.

Goethe Institut.  Bangkok, Thailand.  May 8, 2012.  Hong Kong pianist, Ernest So, who now also lives in NYC, introduced Bangkok’s small piano community to some mostly unknown composers, giving us Russian composer Sergei Bortiewicz (1877-1952), Azerbijanian Murad Kazhlayer (b. 1931), and Argentineans Jean Cras (1879-1932), Julian Aguire (1868-1924) and Carlos Guastavino (1912-2000).  So, whose English is perfect, talked about each composer, thereby turning the evening into a Keyboard Conversation, similar to what Jeffrey Siegel so wonderfully does.  So played nicely, with sufficient technique to make the recital musically, as well as educationally satisfying.  The two remaining Argentinian composers performed by So, Alberto Ginastera and Astor Piazzolla, are, of course, well-known, but So added interesting facts about them, completing his successful attempt to add meaning and enjoyment to composers and their works not regularly heard.