Music Reviews

Oct 24, 1999 - A Russian Violin Recital with Lots of Flash and a Bit of Fun

By Jack Neal

Violinist Alexei Bruni, concertmaster of the Russian National Orchestra, played a violin recital Sunday afternoon (10/24/99) in the show room of the Eldorado Hotel Casino. Dazzle it had. Lots of flash. What it lacked was depth and organization.

No programs, shadowy lighting, a less than grand piano improperly placed, a stack of music to choose from, an announcer who hardly knew what to announce, a mysterious bowling-alley kind of rumble from overhead and two artists looking for the stage ten minutes before curtain rarely make for an enlightening Sunday afternoon musicale.

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

"Well, quite well, actually. I've always liked Victor Borge."

And so the race was on.

All those notes and they went by so fast. Weber's Larghetto (that was slow) and Rondo was superb. Ries's Perpetuum Motion flew along like greased lightning. Albeniz's "Seviglia," as arranged by Heifetz, was awe inspiring for its spectacular virtuosity. Sarasate's "Gypsy Dance" was a whirl.

The Tchaikovsky Meditation was lovely. A Rachmaninoff Prelude (But which one?) featured Mr. Bruni's collaborator in concert, pianist Leonid Alexeyevich Ogrinchuk. Mr. Ogrinchuk is as dexterous as is Mr. Bruni, a really splendid pianist and very adept at the fast stuff. Little chance to make the smallish Eldorado piano sing, however. You need a full grand for that.

Beyond my flippancy about the concert - it's annoying when what could have been a first-class event is treated too casually - the technical aspects of the music making were extraordinary.

When you've got it, flaunt it. And both artists did.

Mr. Bruni's technique, double and triple stopping, spiccato's galore with a bevy of pizzicatos thrown in, was nothing less than amazing. It was like ooing and ahing at a body building contest. Lots of muscular playing, with little attempt at getting under the skin of the music played or playing anything with something more than pretty skin to get under.

Likewise, Mr. Ogrinchuk and his stunning technical facility. The pianist also added a touch of humor. The tete-a-tete between pianist and violinist over something on the floor did take on Borge proportions.

Not a bad addition to the act.

Beyond that, flash is as flash does. Bravo for exceptional performances of high octane music.

Kudos to the Eldorado for putting this kind of program in its show room. With great sightlines and fine acoustics (except for the mysterious rumble), the room is a natural for recitals and other so-called "classical" events.