Elizaveta Ivanova & Sanja Bizjak
A magical lunchtime treat.
The second lunchtime recital in the series of BBC New Generation Artists concerts at this year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival featured Estonian born flautist Elizaveta Ivanova, accompanied on piano by Serbian pianist Sanja Bizjak. I have long been a fan of the flute, stemming back to my years of listening to 70's bands like Jethro Tull and Focus. And whilst I have been to classical concerts where flutes have featured in both orchestras and chamber ensembles before, I do not think that I have ever had the chance to enjoy a flute recital as impressive, and as close-up, as I did at the Octagon Chapel today. By sheer luck, and by arriving at the venue promptly, I was able to secure a front row seat right in front of Ivanova's music stand, giving me an unrivalled opportunity to hear, and watch, the performance closer than I have ever been before.
The recital began with a short 'Fantasie for Flute and Piano', written in 1912 by French composer Phillippe Gaubert. What a wonderful way to begin the programme – originally written as an examination piece for the Paris Conservatioire, it serves as a great Romantic opener, and a chance for musicians and audience to acclimatise to their surroundings.
More substantial is the four-movement 'Undine' Sonata for Flute and Piano, written by German composer Carl Reinecke, and based on the 1811 romantic fairytale 'Undine', written by Frederich de la Motte Fouqué. It tells the story of a water sprite who marries a knight called Huldbrand in order to acquire a soul. It begins with an allegro, and is followed by a fast and lively vivace during the second movement. This is then contrasted by a slow and pastoral Andante in the third. The stirring finish, and the happy ending, is neatly rounded off in the fourth movement Finale. Totally engrossing to listen to, and the first real chance to fully appreciate the contribution of Bizjak on the piano.
Claude Debussy's 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune' is so familiar that it really needs no introduction, but this transcribed version for flute and piano by Gustave Samazeuilh really made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck – it was just mind-blowingly moving, and the whole room became pin-drop silent, savouring the sound of these two fabulous musicians.
We end with Poulenc's 'Sonata For Flute And Piano', possibly the most frequently performed work for flute and piano, and one that really gave Sanja Bizjak a chance to demonstrate her prowess during both the stirring 'Allegro malinconico' and the frenetic 'Presto giocoso'.
The audience's applause was prolonged and genuine – this really had been a magnificent lunchtime recital, and we were rewarded with an encore, a lovely short song by Phillippe Gaubert called 'Madrigal'.
Absolutely my favourite flute recital of all time – not a single fluffed note, not a single sign of raspiness, and perfect embouchures throughout, all combined with the wonderful acoustics of the Octagon Chapel, made this a magical lunchtime treat.
The entire concert was recorded, and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on a date still to be confirmed.
