Cello & Piano Duo Recital
By Joshua Roman
and
Benjamin Loh

Tickets are free sitting. Annie and i reached around 430pm. I told her [we] Singaporeans are notorious for being extremely punctual. The recital was scheduled at 5pm, so we should have no problem getting a seat with the best view. As what we've reckoned. Indeed it is. Getting kind of jittery in amidst the wait because we are so looking forward to this recital, although it is a small-scaled performance. In 2 hours, Joshua & Benjamin performed 13 movements (songs) from the 3 great musician's sonatas. Really worth the money! And because the audiences were not stingy with the applauses, 2 encore short pieces were played. More upbeat and not as difficult(to them), because Joshua dont even need scores. Impressive. Im not sure of the name of the encore pieces, because Joshua's accent is too strong and we are not too familiar with the classic music yet. Especially me, extremely green. Thanks to annie who explained alot to me. I hope she will get her Diploma in Piano someday!






Song List

Ludwig Von Beethoven
Sonata No. 3 in A major for Cello and Piano Op.69
Allegro, ma non tant0
Scherzo
Adagio cantabile

Benjamin BRITTEN
Sonata in C for Cello and Piano Op.65
Dialogo
Scherzo - pizzicato
Elegia
Marcia
Moto perpetuo

Johannes Brahms
Sonata No.1 in E minor for Cello and Piano Op.38
Allegro non trappo
Allegretto quasi Menuetto
Allegro


I liked Beethoven Sonata No. 3 in A major second movement the most, Scherzo. Followed by Brahms Sonata. BRITTEN's sonata in C emphasized more on the beats and rhythms, and dont have much pleasant notes, which at my stage, i still couldnt appreciate. Hence.

Due to copyright infringement and time, i didnt manage to record the performance. but you should listen to these classic pieces on youtube. The songs are still playing in my mind now.



The Republic Cultural Centre where we catch the show.



It was a rather compact hall which sits 400.
The Grand Piano and Cello Stand.



Appearance of Joshua & Benjamin.


Joshua is a little different from what i perceived to be.
Probably because of his spectacles.


Thanking the audience at the end of each sonata.


I couldnt bear to leave after the encore and was wishfully thinking they will encore one more piece, one more piece if i tried clapping louder. haha. No after that, people started to take their leave. A pity

Since im still a greenhorn, i cant comment too much on the recital. In my humble opinion, i do feel Joshua's cello performance is more outstanding than Benjamin. Jo exuded a conspicuous aura of a cellist and the notes came out from his cello were sturdy (though i think i noticed two off note) while Ben's play lacked of A LITTLE potent emotion in spite of his brilliant technics on the keys.


Oh and for stupid reason, 2photos which i took with annie were lost in my memory card. sofedup~~~ when i reached home, i went to buy takeaway. I dont know if im still immensed in the Sonatas. First time i gave the uncle a thai baht coin. Second i gave the boy 2 more dollar and walked away. Didnt realise it until he came patting on my shoulder and returned me the change.

Couldnt get enough infact~
Im so gonna catch more of such recitals.
Singapore International Piano Festival coming in July!


If you want to know more:
the Cellist Joshua Roman
http://joshuaroman.net/home

the Pianist Benjamin Loh
http://www.benjaminloh.com/