I’m not sure what Chopin had for lunch, but it would appear it was full of beans. Sophia Dee’s lively recital thundered through a programme of Chopin, Schumann and Liszt with plenty of flourishes and little room for a digestive pause.
Food jokes aside, this was a formidable recital. At just nineteen, Dee has already earned such accolades as the Lutine Prize, the Royal Over-Seas League Keyboard Award and a full scholarship to Guildhall School of Music and Drama. ROSL have a reputation for spotting and supporting young, classical talent and Dee is no exception. Hers is the first in a series of Chopin recitals, each comprised of different pieces and performed by different musicians.
Having torn through Chopin’s ‘Scherzo in C-sharp, Op. 39 No. 3’, Dee proceeded to the calmer Nocturnes in C-sharp and D-flat. The second of these was executed beautifully. There was an added resonance to Dee’s sound that had previously been lost in the fortissimo, virtuoso passages.
The highlights of the recital for me were Chopin’s ‘Barcarolle’ and Schumann’s ‘Widmung’. The resplendence of the compositions suited Dee’s style particularly well. Furthermore, they gave her the opportunity to display some personality, something she generally held back though the performance. Having been given a comprehensive introduction before she walked on stage, Dee did not necessarily need to say anything to her audience, particularly when her music was so expressive. It was even quite charming that such a strong, capable musician would stand, smile and bow meekly and silently after each rollicking piece. I did feel that stage presence was lacking, however. I will attribute this to Dee’s relatively young age, limited stage time and absolute concentration, but cannot deny it detracted from the performance.
As we were invited into the bar for tea, homemade shortbread and wonderful views of Edinburgh Castle, Dee’s last piece, a dexterous rendition of Liszt’s ‘La Campanella’, still rang in my ears. The Royal Over-Seas League is a great platform for great musicians. It is both welcoming and pioneering in large and equal measure.
