Revolutionizing Art: Programmatic Painting Harmonized with Piano Melodies

Pianist Sandrine Erdely-Sayo previewed this year’s Piano on the Rocks festival at the Community Library Sedona on January 25, sharing the stage with Navajo composer Connor Chee, who will perform in April’s concert series.

Erdely-Sayo opened with Jules Massenet’s “Meditation” from his opera “Thais.” Her performance captured the essence of the piece, transitioning from soft, ethereal notes to a passionate crescendo that made the piano resonate. Despite the emotional intensity, she skillfully controlled the delicate bass notes at the end.

Franz Liszt

Renowned for her interpretations of Franz Liszt, Erdely-Sayo played three selections from his extensive repertoire, starting with the Romance in E Minor. This piece, steeped in melancholy, allowed her to express the emotional nuances of early nineteenth-century Germany.

The second selection, Liszt’s transcription of Petrarch’s Sonnet 104, showcased Erdely-Sayo’s virtuosity. The piece’s abrupt intensity mirrored the sonnet’s themes of love and turmoil, and she expertly navigated its complex climaxes, evoking profound emotional imagery.

Her final solo piece was Liszt’s version of Schubert’s “Swan Song.” The somber melody provided a poignant soundscape that resonated with listeners, who could feel a deep connection with the themes of reflection and sorrow conveyed in the music.

Connor Chee

Chee followed Erdely-Sayo, presenting programmatic works that echoed the Southwestern landscape. His piece “Female Rain” vividly depicted a light desert shower, bursting with uplifting imagery of sunshine and rainbows, a joyful homage to nature.

In “Sandpaintings,” a suite of four short pieces, Chee explored themes of clouds. The first caught the audience with tense chords, gradually resolving into a sense of calm. As he moved through the sequences, the music portrayed a yearning for space, the wind’s dynamic movement, and culminated in a rhythmic resolution that tied back to “Female Rain.”

Four Hands

The duo then joined forces for Chee’s “Pathways,” characterized by rapid exchanges of melody that hinted at grandeur. Erdely-Sayo’s powerful playing balanced Chee’s more placid style, culminating in an interpretation of Debussy’s “In the Boat.” This piece drew parallels between Debussy’s use of the pentatonic scale and its presence in traditional Navajo music.

As the performance drew to a close, the two pianists executed a lively rendition of the tango, beginning with “La Cumparsita,” which required intricate coordination. They ended with the spirited “El Choclo,” a lively piece that showcased their dynamic chemistry on stage.

Piano on the Rocks

The 10th annual Piano on the Rocks International Festival is set to take place at the Verde Valley School from April 25 to 27. The event will feature performances from both Erdely-Sayo and Chee, along with a roster of talented musicians, all under the theme “From Paris to Sedona.”