Music / Lucas Krupiński in Recital. At Wesley Music Centre, June 29. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

An afternoon of music by internationally acclaimed Polish pianist Lucas Krupiński is an afternoon of technical and emotional pleasure,” says reviewer ROB KENNEDY.

Winner of the 7th San Marino International Piano Competition, Krupiński is at ease at the piano, which is no small thing considering he is known as one of Europe’s rising stars. His musical maturity and stage presence belie his age. At 33, he plays like music has been his home for 50 years.

Without sheet music for any piece he performed, Krupinski went straight into Chopin’s Polonaise in C sharp minor, Op. 26 No. 1. This is music he knows well. There are subtleties in his playing that take on the form of gentle breathing. In and out, the music flows with a rhythmic precision that only a performer who has the sounds inside them can produce.

The Nocturne in F Major, Op. 15, No. 1 followed. It has a tranquil beginning, then jumps into a phrase that sounded like there were two people at the piano. And Krupiński does all this with his eyes closed mostly.

Then the Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31. This is that dramatic work that jumps from piano to fortissimo at the beginning, which has been used in countless movies. It’s a rollicking piece made to startle and grab attention; it’s a showcase of dynamics.

Krupiński then moved on to music by the Russian composer, Alexander Scriabin. The Fantaisie in B minor, Op. 28. This is an intensely dark, romantic and troubling piece. It is passion on overload, maybe sentimental at times, but not in a sticky way. Krupiński handles all forms of music with authority and a dynamism that makes his sound a compelling reason to hear him again and again.

The final work on the program was the Piano Sonata in F minor, Op 5. No. 3, by Brahms. It’s an extensive piece in five movements. It has a story finely crafted with loving tunes and perhaps showy dynamics. Yet it balances these well in its romantic air. It has many musical ideas that still sound fresh and highly inventive. Small conversations all gel together to create an extended story that was captured by the hands and mind of an expert pianist.

The concert ended with a bright short encore, more Chopin, his Waltz in C sharp minor.