August 11, 2024

‘RHAPSODY IN BLUE’ NEVER SOUNDED BETTER — AND NEITHER DID KYUNG-A LEE

HUNTSVILLE — For Kyung-A Lee’s legion of fan — of which there are hundreds, if not thousands throughout Muskoka — it’s hard to believe she be any better.

Those who’ve marvelled at the pianist’s pounding beauty, precision, deft and delicate touches she could never sound better.

Not to speak of her engaging smile and personality.

Last night with a gold, silver and bronze performance, which — combined with a few ‘Friends’ — she won gold, silver and bronze applause from a full house at the Algonquin Theatre.

And if there was a platinum medal she would have brought that one to her Huntsville home after as the audience as always loved her to pieces.

**The ‘Candlelight Concert’ featured Kyung-A Lee at her absolute best. Better than ever, writes reviewer Mark Clairmont. “A stunningly beautiful concert.”**

The ‘Candlelight Concert’ was a celebration of the ‘100^th Anniversary of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.’

But it was more than that magnificent standing ovation highlight.

Mixed with a “high brow” start — as one overhead audience member beforehand described the opening pieces — Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C# Minor Op.3 No. 2” and Bach’s “Chaconne in D Minor”, the Broadway salute included a couple of great lighter-hearted but still serious guest performances pieces.

Under the hand of musical director and cornetist Neil Barlow and his always superlative supportive band (this time a sextet), Lee was extraordinary as usual.

Beyond.

This time her playing was much more concentrated, subtle and nuanced. While still thunderous in her bass hand and so finitely skilled with her right that it ran over and under her left.

It was a stunningly beautiful concert.

**Lee keeps getting better – if possible – as she ages and gains a deeper understanding of her playing and her approach to all music.**

Sitting front row beneath the stage it was like listening from where the pit orchestra normally plays. And feeling as though I was sitting within the Seiler grand piano.

Lee, truly always astounding, was more so last night. She leaned intensely into all 88 keys with an unheard understanding and playing of her music. She hunched over, digging in with a more confident assured feel than before her many local appearances. Her fingertips extended softly and wildly wrenching the most out of each memorized and memorable piece.

Including her favourite composer Chopin. His and her Etude Op. 25 No. 11 “The Winter Wind in A Minor” brought to life visions of Tom Thomson in nearby Algonquin Park.

The two-hour concert with her Friends was a fulsome sound experience.

Barlow and guitarist Patrick Ramirez joined Lee on a beautiful rendition of a Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Adagio from Conceirto de Aranjuez.” A piece familiar to those who remember Miles Davis’s classic jazz album “Sketches of Spain.”

**Patrick Ramirez and Neil Barlow joined Lee for a beautiful rendition of a piece made popular by Miles Davis on “Sketches in Spain.”**

Lee’s husband, Parres Allen — always a crowd favourite from his Deerhurst days and local stage productions — was a brilliant complementary singer with a great rendition Proco Harum’s “Trip The Light Fandango” and a tribute to Michael Bubble.

A fun part of the show included several playful versions of “Happy Birthday” Lee was challenged to come up with for her husband who celebrated his birthday this week, which she easily pulled off in the styles of Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and other classical greats that brought down the house.

Allen’s finale of “My Way” was a pleasing end with a soaring final high note from him.

**Parres Allen was hit with his Michael Bubble rendition of “My Way” and a several “Happy Birthday” songs by his wife Lee.**

Still this was Lee’s night and her rip-roaring “Rhapsody in Blue” was clearly the favourite and show-stopper. Classical music with jazz-influenced effects, it was written by Gershwin and first performed a century ago in New York.

This version, a boisterous, exuberant piece written for two pianos was orchestrated by Barlow to include the band (Kim Barlow reeds, Howard Lee trombone, Karen Richards flute and Mike Smith drums) playing the parts of the second piano.

Lee was as widely adept and comfortable on this now jazz standard as she was with Chopin and Bach and appearing dazzling on an overhead screen.

Gershwin received rave reviews and 100 years ago.

In Huntsville last night it was the same for Kyung-A Lee.

It never sounded better — and neither did she.