St. James’ Steinway Concert – a Review

When I attend concerts, I watch faces a lot. Because a reviewer’s job is not only to speak of the quality of the performance. It’s also to describe the effect the performance had on the audience. Sunday’s inaugural Steinway Concert at the St. James’ Episcopal Church was a case in point.

The first instrumental piece was “When in Our Music,” arranged by Mark Hayes (2014). Right off the bat, the faces wore the same expression. The words “awe,” “wonder,” and even “stunned,” came to my mind. Awe at the sheer talent of the Steinway’s soloist, the masterful Mary Ann Hatfield. Wonder at the setting of the gleaming grand piano in the historic Queen Anne Revival structure. Stunned by the roaring beauty emanating from the wide-open rictus of the piano with its lid propped to the max.

Hatfield’s second piece (“Valse Brilliante,” Auguste Durand, 1878) was a tour de force. So many notes. Dianna Berg heard someone behind her ask, “How many fingers does that woman have?” Durand’s piece was a jaunty staccato where needed, and fading into a lyrical, floating melody elsewhere.

While reaction to the first solo was thunderous applause, that to this second one was actual whooping.

Music director Don Kirby selected an eclectic program; the audience reactions were equally varied. Wonder faded to laughter at the rumbling intro to Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Bumble Boogie” (1900). The most abundant response of the audience was to the Mary Kirby solo treatment of Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” (1920). Especially at the line, “I know a fine way to treat a Steinway.”

I must say, the most emotional point of the concert was Hatfield’s touching rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Memory from Cats” (1982). The evocative song brought tears to several of the faces in the crowd. I have no proof, but I am sure many in the audience–– some who had lived already long lives––were moved by the unheard lyrics to be drawn to their own memories and of those who’d gone before.

The afternoon concert was a resounding success. The room was at capacity. (Some were turned away.) The violin and cello accompaniment was marvelous. The kudos were glorious. The reception was triumphant. Director Kirby hinted this may just be the initial concert of a Steinway Concert Series.

Now that was such a fine way to treat a Steinway.

Did I mention, it was 108 degrees outside that day?