Hungarian virtuoso Tamas Fejes is a delight to listen to. In the first of two concerts, he performed J.S. Bach's Partita in B minor and Sonata in C major (both for unaccompanied violin).
Fejes performs on a modern instrument with a modern bow and thus at standard concert pitch rather than in a historically informed style. His interpretation was considered and convincing, with every face in the audience enraptured throughout. It takes a significant talent to capture a crowd so thoroughly - the result of a lifetime of dedication to the violin.
As a violinist, I found myself in unabashed admiration of the looseness and fluidity with which Fejes played. An hour of Bach requires an infinite amount of stamina, demanding the utmost levels of concentration, yet not once did it seem like he was under strain. Nothing was an effort - the sign of a true virtuoso.
Intonation, aside from a few slips, was perfect and I felt safe on board the musical journey of the concert. It felt as though Fejes was not entirely on top of the C major's fugue, and the Sonata's final movement was, if anything, taken too quickly. However, overall, the performance was thoroughly professional.
There is an opportunity to hear Fejes again on 19th August at 1.30pm, at Canongate Kirk, performing the Sonata in A minor and Partita in D minor. This will feature the infamous Chaconne - arguably one of the technically most difficult Baroque pieces in the solo violin repertoire. I will definitely be attending and recommend that you do too.
