Ariel Lanyi (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 26 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.

Ariel Lanyi (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 26 November 2023.

4****: William Ruff.

“Ariel Lanyi: piano playing of probing intelligence.”

Expectations could hardly have been higher for the first appearance in Nottingham of rising star pianist Ariel Lanyi. A finalist in the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, he also has several more prestigious awards and prizes under his belt. He has impressed listeners with his probing, scholarly approach to the music he performs and with a calm maturity which belies his years.

His Sunday morning recital opened with early Beethoven, his Piano Sonata No 2 in A major, a work which pays homage to Haydn but which pushes at musical boundaries. This is especially true of the opening with its irregular phrases and jagged rhythms. Beethoven seems determined to be different, apparently refusing to carry any idea through to a natural conclusion before the next one comes along. Ariel Lanyi was in his element in music which reflects such an adventurous intellect. ‘Early’ Beethoven by no means ‘easy’ Beethoven but Ariel’s technical mastery was a match for anything thrown at it. The Scherzo was a particular delight: graceful whilst at the same time conveying the composer’s gruff sense of humour.

The other work was Schumann’s Études symphoniques, a set of variations on a theme sent to him by the father of the girl he was engaged to at the time. They are definitely not the sort of variations designed for light domestic entertainment. These are bulging with intellectual muscles, boldly expressive and technically very demanding, their virtuosity never just being for show. Each of these études (or studies) is designed to present a specific pianistic challenge (such as the fast staccato right-hand playing in No 3, or the thumb-only melody in No 6). Yet despite its technical aspect each is intended to sound like a properly accomplished musical work – to be enjoyed in concert as well as providing a gymnastic work-out for the performer. The extent of Ariel Lanyi’s control over all this complexity was remarkable (repeated inner chords, razor-sharp staccato etc). However, even more than this he displayed consummate stylistic sensitivity throughout.

What to play as an encore? A Chopin Mazurka helped the audience get its breath back and reflect on a remarkable hour of music-making.

Ariel Lanyi playing in the Sunday Morning Piano Series at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall