Noriko Ogawa delights Norwich

Noriko Ogawa put on a splendid performance at
St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich

Noriko Ogawa put on a splendid performance of the highest quality at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich on Wednesday evening as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. I was sitting in the third row from the front as the Japanese pianist put on a faultless show to a delighted audience.

The programme on the night was Piano Sonata in D K311 - Mozart, Piano Sonata in A K310 - Mozart, A Particle of Water for piano and Myochin Hibashi chopsticks - Yoshihiro Kanno and Piano Sonata in B minor S178 - Liszt.

She had us spellbound with her playing of the Mozart sonatas from his middle period. The Sonata in A minor K310 is the darkest of Mozart's piano sonatas as it was written around the time of his Mother's death. A very intense performance from the pianist who's honours include the Art Prize of the Japanese Ministry of Education and the Okura Prize for her contribution to music in Japan.

After the interval she played Yoshihiri Kanno's A Particle of Water for piano and Myochin Hibashi chopsticks. The chopsticks are made from the same pure steel used to cast samurai swords. Noriko said that they cost £4000 and are much too heavy to eat with. They do make a beautiful sound. This piece created a unique sound that filled the Church which has excellent acoustics.

The concert finished with Liszt's Sonata in B minor which the composer dedicated to Robert Schumann. This has to be one of the highlights of Liszt's works and was a triumphant way to finish the concert. This was an evening of high quality music with a world class artist, it doesn't get much better then this. Thanks to the organisers of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.