Chopin Shines in Little Compton, Reviewer Says

By Jonathan F. Babbitt (Open Post)

LITTLE COMPTON, RI—Musica Maris presented pianist Michael Bahmann in an all-Chopin program Sunday afternoon, Jan. 29 at the United Congregational Church of Little Compton, and the result was nothing short of stunning. Mr. Bahmann, who is director of music at the Little Compton church, offered a delightful balance of well-known and less familiar Chopin works, all of which sparkled in the afternoon sunlight of the beautiful sanctuary space.

Opening the program was the seldom heard Bolero (Op. 19) of 1833. Bahmann’s virtuosity was manifest in handling the piece, though the repetition of the action of the 1892 Chickering piano was occasionally not as capable.

Chopin’s Impromptu (Op. 51) and well-known Fantasie (Op. 49) followed, exquisitely offered in both interpretation and execution. Bahmann interjected a moment of confection into the program with the 3 Ecossaies (Op. Posth.), written when the composer was just 16. The three short pieces danced and shone as Bahmann effortlessly lofted them into the brightly-lit atmosphere of the room.

The final work on the program was the Polonaise - Fantasie (Op. 61) of 1845-1846, a piece of deep inner struggle and emotion which Bahmann masterfully took in hand and presented for the audience’s consideration. Overall, it was a splendid performance of great music in a wonderful space to an enthusiastic audience.

Kudos are due to the unnamed souls who helped lift the massive piano onto the raised platform at the center of the church, and to Musica Maris for continuing to offer world-class performances in the Southcoast region of New England.

Image via Shutterstock