Napoli, Teatro San Carlo: Daniel Oren e Yoan Levanon

Teatro S. Carlo, The Golden Stage / sinfonica 2015
Orchestra del Teatro San Carlo
Direttore Daniel Oren
Pianoforte Yoan Levanon
Fryederik Chopin: Concerto n°1 in mi minore per pianoforte e orchestra op.11
Ludwig Van Beethoven:  Sinfonia n°3  in mi bemolle maggiore op.56 “Eroica”

The presence of young pianist Yoan Levanon and of the famous orchestra leader Daniel Oren comprehensibly raised enthusiasm in the Neapolitan public. The San Carlo is essentially full, and there’s an impatient atmosphere in the air. Then, a small figure with a bowl of blonde hair enters the stage and shuts up and surprises the audience. Since the first notes of the Concert n° 1 in minor mi for piano and orchestra op. 11 you can tell how mature the execution is going to be: his touch is delicate and sweet, melodious and embracing, confident and virtuous. There is no difference between his touch and an adult’s. The only sign that this is the performance of an 11 year-old boy is his unsteady posture on the stool during the orchestra’s solos. The public stares at the young artist in awe, but they all concentrate on the music. They carefully follow the impeccable execution of the concert. Little Levanon conquered the stage, especially during the first part of the concert, where the piano has a particularly relevant role. In fact, Chopin treats the piano as if it was a solo instrument. 

In the second part, during the 3rd symphony in E flat major op. 56 “Eroica”, the orchestra takes over, in the perfect way; the colors, the dynamisms, the crescendo, the diminuendo, they’re all there. The hands of the master guide the musicians and make the themes, the instruments’ entrances, and the groups stand out. During the last movement – the least innovative of the score – during the last variations, which is probably the most beautiful, the orchestra leader gets involved physically; his movements follow the passages of the score. Then the concert ends; the audience’s applause is unanimous and deafening; there is no face in the theatre that doesn’t show enthusiasm for having enjoyed moments of fine music. 

4 Dicembre 2015  GBOPERA Magazine