Giuseppe Guarrera’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, leaving the audience searching for superlatives to describe his playing.
His technique is impeccable and so effortlessly assured that it serves as the foundation for his stunning interpretations—delivering clarity, authority, sensitivity, and flair in every piece.
The repertoire he presented was vast and ambitious, spanning works from Scarlatti to Liszt, with stops at Beethoven and Wagner along the way.
The year 1685 must have been a magical one, as it saw the births of three of the greatest composers in history: Bach, Handel, and Domenico Scarlatti. Guarrera paid homage to Scarlatti by performing two of his 555 sonatas, showcasing his ability to balance technical brilliance with both delicate nuances and emotional depth.
He then moved on to Handel’s Suite in F Major, a piece that demands a full range of pianistic dynamics, which Guarrera executed flawlessly.
The program then shifted to more dramatic and demanding works. First, he played Beethoven’s Les Adieux Sonata, written for his sponsor, friend, and pupil, Archduke Rudolph. The piece ranges from slow, introspective passages to rapid, lively sections filled with intricate turns and trills. Guarrera’s bravura performance made light of the sonata’s challenges, his playing never tiring but instead becoming more energized with each demanding movement.
Next was Schumann’s Phantasiestücke, a set of eight pieces that, though not originally conceived as a cycle, was presented as such by Guarrera. Schumann, a composer of deep romantic sensibilities, requires immense technical skill to execute his works, and Guarrera delivered with precision and feeling, captivating the audience from start to finish.
Guarrera’s final two pieces were nothing short of phenomenal. First, Liszt’s transcription of his son-in-law Wagner’s Isolde’s Liebestod. Originally written as an orchestral work, Liszt’s arrangement for piano retains all the power and drama of the original, and under Guarrera’s fingers, it was a tour de force, showcasing his immense virtuosic talent.
The concert ended with Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1, a dazzling finale. The piece demanded speed, drama, and delicacy, and Guarrera’s performance captured every dynamic possible on the piano.
It was truly a privilege to witness such an artist in action.
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