CONCERT REVIEW: TIm Horton

ACCLAIMED pianist Tim Horton’s passion and commitment shine through during an insightful and compelling evening of classical music.

Horton, who explains that his obsession for the piano started at the age of seven, has lost none of his fervour 35 years on as he displays his enormous skill and knowledge as he plays and talks us through the line of travel between pieces by Brahms, Schumann, Schoenberg and Beethoven.

In the intimate setting of the Studio, it’s a joy to share such musicianship and enthusiasm.

Horton shows total control and great feeling playing a marvellous programme of Brahms’ Klavierstücke Op.119, Schumann's Piano Sonata No 1 in F sharp minor Op. 11 - a love letter to his wife Clara - Schoenberg’s Three Piano Pieces Op.11 and Six Little Piano Pieces Op.19 and finally Beethoven's Piano Sonata in F minor Op. 57 Appassionata.

Horton has been engaged in a four-year cycle of the complete Beethoven sonatas.

The storm-tossed Appassionata was composed at a time when his hearing was deteriorating rapidly and its revolutionary spirit is established from the start.

It made for a wonderfully tumultuous finale, which deserved the rousing ovation at the end before Horton calmed the mood with a short encore piece by Chopin.