Xiayin Wang At Sherwood
Pronunciation of her name aside, Xiayin played a great recital
at the PianoForte Salon Series at the Friday noon-time recitals.
The first work was a Haydn E-flat Major Sonata #52. Because
I was sitting in the 1st row, I marveled how the stiletto heels of
her boots pivoted on the floor to work the pedals. She said after
the recital that the pivot point made the pedals easier to push.
Debussy’s delicately played L’Isle Joyuse followed.
A new work by Richard Danielpour came next. Xiayin premiered
Book II of Richard’s piano preludes. Today she played #1,
Persepolis, and #6, There’s a Ghost in My Room, which was
inspired by Xiayin recounting a story about a ghostly experience.
Then we heard a Scriabin “fantasie” about the Earth colliding with
the Sun called Towards the Flame. It was a typical late Scriabin
work with all his customary keyboard nuances.
And as a way to flush out all doom and gloom of crashing into
the Sun, Xiayin finished up with I’ve Got Rhythm by Gershwin.
