TATIANA Kolesova (second prize winner Sydney International Piano Competition) charmed and enchanted with poetic magnetism an enthusiastic group of music lovers at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music on Friday night.

A cold, frosty Tamworth evening did not take away from the warm spirited performance of this young Russian prodigy.

Accuracy of note placement, with artistic refinement and rhythm goes without saying, as with total control of the crashing louds and the velvety softs Tatiana created with sheer magic the composer’s intentions. The upright nobility of the Chopin Grand Polonaise to the cheeky humour of the Haydn Sonata to the dazzling double octaves of Lizst in La Campanella and Stravinsky’s Petrushka.

Three encores, as played in the Sydney International Piano Competition. Some jazz Kasputin fusing influences of jazz idioms in formal classical structures, baroque, Gluck and romantic Liszt.

We had Fantasia without the cartoons!

Tatiana has the best key-touch one might hear; top-class virtuoso playing. This is musical temperament, rich, expressive and amazingly noble.

Few pianists achieve such a degree of perfection, where there is no obstacle left between what she wants to do and what she does.

Tatiana played like an artist painting on canvas with wide strokes and swift lines. She possesses the power of persuasion and perfect technique... Profound intellect multiplied by mastery of the piano made her playing truly phenomenal.

A truly memorial concert ... thank you Jane Robertson (Director) and TRCM board.

Roderick Richardson

TAMWORTH