Malaysian Pianist Mitra Alice Tham Comes to Bangkok

Goethe-Institut Auditorium.  Bangkok, Thailand.  July 12, 2013.  Tham is a member of an amazingly large group of pianists who play the piano very, very well.  Having studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and Mannes in NYC, there with famed pianist Jacob Lateiner, Tham can justly claim to be an international artist.  Her varied program in Bangkok demonstrated her capabilities with music of a variety of styles and periods, all of which she played with fluency and competency.  Yet, there was nothing much to distinguish her playing.  Her technique was crisp and dry, accurate rather than exploring.  She lacked color and tone; all pieces sounded much the same.  Because she is very musical, there was nothing quirky or self-indulgent about anything she played.  Although I can’t think of any particular reason for wanting to hear are again, I can’t think of any reason to stay away from her next recital in Bangkok, if she were to return.