Last Tuesday, the Lobero Theatre was host to a unique performance featuring Grammy Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich and internationally renowned pianist Joyce Yang. These two young artists enlightened the audience with Beethoven’s quick tempo Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, Hadelich and Yang exchanging passionate smiles as they performed the piece to perfection. A contemporary selection followed: Australian composer Brett Dean’s Berlin Music, which Hadelich admitted to the audience was “confusing” however an interesting edition to his repertoire. Written to sound as if you’re walking through a conservatory, the piece’s eccentric energy matched the duo’s expressive playing styles.
Hadelich performed Eugene Ysaye’s intricate Sonata for Solo Violin in E Major, with jaw-dropping skill matching the world’s master violinists. The final piece, Cesar Franck’s heartbreaking Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, combined Hadelich’s captivating stage presence with Yang’s technical perfection, together playing a rendition that won’t soon be forgotten.
After a well-deserved standing ovation, the pair shared an embrace that brought smiles to audience’s faces; it was inspiring to see how music connects people together and refreshing to see two young artists collaborate so well.