Pianist Hélène Wickett Charms Audience
by
Lyn Bronson
At four PM on Saturday afternoon, the Monterey Peninsula
was in the grips of such a violent storm, with heavy rain and gusts of wind up
to 60 mph, that it seemed possible All Saints Episcopal Church might have to
cancel its scheduled concert that evening featuring pianist Hélène Wickett. This
apparently also concerned Father Rick Matters, Rector of All Saints Church, for
we learned later that steps had been taken to provide emergency lighting in the
form of candles throughout the church. As it turned out, however, someone up
there seemed to have been on Father Rick’s side, for we were given us a respite
in the storm lasting several hours – more than enough, as it turned out, to give
us the best of both worlds, a church well lit by subdued artificial lighting,
but also with the charming ambience of candles suspended over every other pew.
A near capacity audience braved the uncertain weather and
was rewarded by hearing a beautiful and most significant concert. Not only was
Ms. Wickett giving us a preview of her New York concert coming up on March
12 in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, but the occasion also marked the beginning
of a new phase in the musical life of All Saints Episcopal Church, which
recently acquired the very fine Steinway concert grand heard in this concert.
This piano was purchased for the parish by Elizabeth and Jeptha Wade in loving
memory of Colgate and Kay Dorr and will now be known as the “Dorr Memorial
Steinway.” This fine instrument will ensure that All Saints Church with its
fabulous acoustics will remain an important venue for classical music for a long
time to come.
Hélène Wickett was in fine form last night speaking to the
audience about the works she was to perform and occasionally playing snatches of
selected works to increase our understanding and appreciation. In addition to
lovely performances of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 110, Brahms Intermezzi Op. 117,
and Ravel’s Valse Nobles et
Sentimentales, she also performed the difficult and demanding Piano Sonata
by Elliot Carter, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday this
year. Responding to her beautiful playing, and her charming personality, the
audience gave her a well deserved standing ovation.
Audience members were invited to a lovely post concert
Champagne reception downstairs in Secombe Hall. In the hall were lavish tables
as beautifully decorated as they were a cornucopia of delectable and tasty
morsels. The reception was as first class as the musical event.
