Music Reviews : Alexander Markov at Ambassador Auditorium

Alexander Markov may not be Paganini reincarnated, but he does possess enormous talent, which he displayed in a Monday evening recital at Ambassador Auditorium.

The 25-year-old Soviet emigre specializes in the music of the legendary violinist, and his stage presence reflected that. It is ironic, therefore, that the Paganini works presented the greatest difficulty in an otherwise nearly flawless performance. Slight intonation problems proved a distraction in the “Moses” Variations on One String (based on a theme from Rossini’s opera) and six Caprices from the set of 24 for Solo Violin, Opus 1.

Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata, Opus 47, provided a more suitable vehicle with its wide range of emotions, from the lyrical introduction, to the fiery allegros leading some to wonder whether it was smoke or simply rosin that rose in a cloud from the violinist’s bow.

Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin, though written in a totally different idiom, exhibited a similar emotional spectrum. The aggressive second-movement fugue was particularly exciting; the various entries of the brash subject were well articulated.

The entire program, which included Schumann’s Fantasia in A minor, was well chosen, with the exception of Gluck’s Melodie from “Orfeo ed Euridice.” One has to wonder why this lovely but unpretentious piece was chosen to start the program, when it would have better served as an encore.

Pianist Dmitriy Cogan provided superb accompaniment in a virtuosic style. It was clear that Markov was not the only talented Russian on the Ambassador stage. Hearty applause brought the duo back for a schmaltzy rendition of Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”