Lynn and I had an unforgettably wonderful time at the salon concert last night, which was hosted by the violinist Stella Song and her musician friends in her beautiful home. I had been so used to concerts in imposing halls. But according to what Stella Song said before the concert, this kind of small-sized salon concerts were popular in the past. She also mentioned that Chopin, too, hosted salon concerts in his home. In fact, cultural salons were significant venues in Europe where people gathered to share diverse ideas and opinions freely during the Enlightenment.
Grace Shin’s rendering of Chopin’s Nocturne (Op. 62 No. 2) was absolutely beautiful. In her brief introductory statement, she said that this was the very last nocturne piece that Chopin wrote in his lifetime. Chopin was probably suffering and knew that his time was coming when he composed it. Shin said that we would therefore hear a mixture of emotions in this piece, and I did feel Chopin’s agitation in some parts. Jun-Kyu Park and Grace Shin’s Hungarian Rhapsody by David Popper (1843-1913) was a literally breathtaking and seamless ten-minute performance. I think I almost teared up at some point. Park clearly demonstrated what kind of beautiful, stunning, intimidating and yet comforting sounds a cello could make. The cello is such a mysterious instrument that can cover both the deepest and the highest registers in such a captivating way. Song then joined Park to perform Passacaglia (1894) by the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935). I must say that I was entranced by their performance.
The second half of the concert had three well-known contemporary pieces arranged in a jazz style and with improvisations. That is when the amazing drummer Simon Miminis joined. They played Autumn Leaves, Fly me to the Moon, and Besame Mucho, all of which, of course, were so mesmerizing that I stopped caring about the world outside the salon.
One of the things I appreciate about the concert is that, while Stella Song is a well-accomplished violinist/musician with a doctorate in violin performance from Robert Schumann University in Dusseldorf, Germany, she seems to enjoy and love music itself and be wiling to go the extra mile to invite others to her musical journey in a humble and friendly manner. It was such a beautiful evening full of exquisite music. Lynn and I already look forward to the next concert.
