Vieness Duo Jan. 19

TWO AND FOUR HANDS DELIGHT AT THE 222

Before a packed Jan. 19 house in Healdsburg’s 222 gallery the Vieness Piano Duo played a nearly two-hour recital that seemed to evoke joy and often vivid musical excitement.

Pianists Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesch, playing in two and four-hand formats, began most works with compelling spoken introductions that illuminated the stories of the compositions. The duo had complete command of the Gallery’s concert instrument, their virtuosity equaling the depth of their musical expression.

Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite began the program, preluded by Mr. Venkatesch’s snazzy introductions, and the five-set suite ending with multiple glissandos up and down the keyboard.

Two solos followed, Ms. Schaumkell playing a strongly rhythmic El Pelele (from Granados’s 1911 Suite Goyescas) and her partner performing faultlessly Liszt’s Tarantella from Venezia e Napoli, a favorite of Golden Age virtuosos.

Four hand works returned for the rest of the evening, beginning with Brahms’ Hungarian Dances 1, 4 and 5, performed seductively with a Budapest flair. A popular four hand work, Schubert’s F Minor Fantasie (D. 940), came just after intermission and the playing spotlighted nostalgia, fury and longing, with frequent switches from major to minor and careful pedaling.

Barber wrote a popular set of four hand works, in six lively dances – Waltz, Schottische, Pas de Deux, Two-Step, Hesitation Tango and Galop. The 1952 composition was later adapted to a ballet and orchestral suite. Highlights of the performance were the Scottisch section (generating kindly audience laughter) and the slinky Hesitation Tango. Of course the boisterous Galop brought down the house.