What an entertaining evening we had on Saturday night at the Guy Butler Theatre with The Piano Man! Young Dr Charl Du Plessis, the highly talented, classically trained, versatile pianist, took us on a musical journey encompassing 301 years of the piano.
What an entertaining evening we had on Saturday night at the Guy Butler Theatre with The Piano Man! Young Dr Charl Du Plessis, the highly talented, classically trained, versatile pianist, took us on a musical journey encompassing 301 years of the piano.
He was accompanied by what he referred to as his boy band, lead by well known soloist Evert van Niekerk who plays all the classics but is also a talented jazz improviser.
During the course of the evening, creating a beautiful sound from his Gagliano violin, Van Niekerk played Gershwin’s The Man I Love. Throughout the evening, with his meticulous rhythm, he kept the ensemble together.
Theunis Pienaar, the second violinist produces a beautiful sound and viola player Kenneth Craig gave the ensemble the necessary warmth in the middle register.
What a joy it was to see the young cellist Niel van Zyl using the correct flautando Baroque continuo-style bow technique in the Bach piano concerto.
The double bass player, Armandt Marais was the heartbeat – steady but unobtrusive. The programme opened with an arrangement of the flambouyant Warsaw concerto which immediately showed Du
Plessis’ consummate skill.
The playing of the slow movement of the Bach piano concerto followed by the second movement of the
Mozart Piano Concerto No 21, can only be described as sublime.
We were treated to Chopin’s Minute Waltz, which Du Plessis explained to us did not have to be played in
a minute! However, he certainly managed to play it at a great pace.
The musical treats came thick and fast including Liszt’s popular Liebestraum, and works by Strauss, Joplin, Gershwin and the Romance without words called Remembrance, which Du Plessis described as “cheesy” being one of those highly decorated pieces favoured by little old ladies at the turn of the 20th century. An hilarious rendition.
Then along came Nola followed by Oscar Peterson’s Boogie which requires tremendous dexterity in the left hand, which he executed perfectly.
The Girl from Ipanema was followed by Duke Ellington’s Take the A Train. The Duke would have been very happy with the arrangement Du Plessis made of his popular tune.
Song for Guy was written by the great Sir Elton John, with Du Plessis telling us the story behind this sad piece. Piano Man by Billy Joel ended the enchanting evening, but the continued applause, whistling and a
standing ovation brought the six outstanding musicians back out to play Thank you for the Music a sentiment expressed by everyone in the audience! Bravissimo The Piano Man!
Come back soon.
