Stefan Jackiw and Anna Polonsky at Nourse Theatre, April 13, 2014

SF Performances presents a chamber recital by Stefan Jackiw and Anna Polonsky
2014-04-13
Nourse Theatre
275 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA
2:00 PM, Sunday, April 13, 2014

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[2:03 PM lights down, announcements]

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Suite Italienne

1. [2:04 PM] Serenata
2. [2:07 PM] Serenata
3. [2:10 PM] Tarantella
4. [2:12 PM] Gavotte
5. [2:14 PM] Scherzino
6. [2:16 PM] Minuet; Finale
   [work ends 2:20 PM]

[2:22 PM; back onstage, waiting]

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op.78

1. [2:24 PM] Vivace ma non troppo
2. [2:35 PM] Adagio
3. [2:44 PM] Allegro molto moderato
   [set ends 2:52 PM]

[3:13 PM lights down; Introductory comments by Stefan]

1. [3:14 PM] David Fulmer (b.1981): They turn their channeled faces to the sky (2012, West Coast Premiere)
   [work ends 3:20 PM]

[3:20 PM, ready to continue]

Richard Strauss (1864-1949): Violin Sonata in E-flat Major, Opus 18 (1888)

1. [3:21 PM] Allegro, ma non troppo
2. [3:33 PM] Andante cantabile
3. [3:42 PM] Andante; Allegro
   [work ends 3:49 PM]

[3:50 PM, Stefan introduces the final work of the day]

1. [3:51 PM] Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Dithyramb (Hymn to Dionysius), 2nd Movement of his Duo Concertante for Violin and Piano (1932)
   [show ends 3:55 PM]

• Stefan Jackiw: violin;
• Anna Polonsky: piano.

Aside from my petty gripes (to be listed in great detail below), this afternoon's show was quite good, and I look forward to my next chance to catch these performers. It was particularly fun to watch Stefan swoon and sway as he played, eyes shut, as if enraptured. I believe he played the entire show from memory, for though he may have glanced at his parts now and then, the only time I noticed him give any attention to the printed music was before or between works and movements, when he would set up the music as if to lay it out if necessary. Sitting up close for the second set, I also noticed quite a bit of nonverbal communication between the performers – apparently this is a duo with a good working history!

So the complaints? Here we go, in no particular order:

• body noises from thoughtless patrons
• gadget noises from the clueless
• mosquito-pitched feedback from hearing aids
• ambient hum, wow and rumble from the ventilation fans
• squealing brakes, beeping horns, rumbling motors, and the brap-brap-brap of unmuffled motorcycle exhaust – all filtering in from the inadequately sound-proofed emergency doors along Fell St.
• lighting distractions – everything offstage is too bright
• row spacing designed for patrons with an average height of 68 inches or less

Feeling grumpy? Yeah, just a little!

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