Word: aitkens
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Beethoven's late works for the piano are among the greatest written for the instrument. They are fantastically difficult to comprehend and to play. Hearing them well performed can be a completely overpowering experience. Webster Aitken is giving a series of three programs of these works in Sanders Theatre. He is a remarkable pianist, and his performances have been superb. Aitken has obviously studied these pieces carefully, and has very definite ideas on their interpretation. Naturally, these ideas are open to criticism, but with very few reservations, I found his playing convincing. Furthermore, he has a technique equal...
Friday night's recital opened with eleven Bagatelles, op. 119. These are wonderful little pieces, expressing a great variety of moods; because of Aitken's lack of tone coloration, these moods were not completely realized. Next came the "Hammerklavier" Sonata, op. 106, which Aitken projected so magnificently that it almost sounded "at home" on the piano. This was Beethoven in black and white, a Beethoven of great contrasts and climaxes, altogether a gigantic conception of a gigantic work. Some details of the performances appeared faulty. The volume level never wont below mezzo forte, so there could hardly be any distinction...
...Aitken continued his series yesterday afternoon with the Sonata in A op. 101, the Sonata in A flat op. 110, and the Sonata in C op. 111. While the quality of the playing was not quite up to the standard of the first recital, it was nevertheless a very rewarding afternoon...
...Today Aitken will play Bagatelles, Opus 119 Sonata, Opus 106, and Sonata, Opus 109. Sunday his selections will be Sonata, Opus 101, Bagatolles, Opus 126, and Sonata, Opus...
...Webstor Aitken, pianist, will offer the first of a series of three recitals at 8:30 p.m. tonight in Sanders Theatre. Aitken's selections will all be from the work of Beethoven. The second of the series will be performed at 3:30 p.,. Sunday...