It’s not unusual for pianists to pit themselves against the colossal challenge of Beethoven’s last three sonatas in the same programme. Nevertheless the opportunity to hear a consummate artist of the calibre of Mitsuko Uchida in such an undertaking is not one to be missed. Hence the full house for last night’s recital by Uchida, as for her performance of the same programme on Sunday.
The first thing to catch the attention was the fullness of sonority right from the opening bars of op. 109 in E major. Uchida produces an ample, muscular, yet always opulent sound which she can fine down to a whisper. The second point of note is her mesmeric phrasing, stretching a climactic note or chord fractionally longer than might be expected to savour the moment. With chording voiced to perfection, she captivates both the ear and the emotions with one exquisitely turned phrase after another.
