peter@sug.std.com (Peter Salus) (05/18/91)
Piano Recital: Michael Hawley Those who only know Michael Hawley from his presentations at USENIX Graphics workshops or his 1986 and 1990 Conference Presentations, or even his portion of the music CD that accompanied Computing Systems 3.2, would have met a different Mr. Hawley in the Atrium of the MIT Media Lab at noon on Friday, May 17. Mr. Hawley, a student at the Media Lab and a Yale graduate gave a recital before a large and enthusiastic audience. His program consisted of Rachmaninoff's transcription of three movements of Bach's Partita for violin; Chopin's Sonata Opus 58, and Liszt's b minor sonata. Mr. Hawley's instrument of choice -- which would doubtless have been the choice of both Liszt and Rachmaninoff (Chopin seems to have preferred the Pleyel) -- was the MIT non-electronic Boesendorfer. Opening with the Bach/Rachmaninoff, Mr. Hawley appeared a bit tentative. In the Chopin sonata, certainly the most formal of Chopin's three, he took the scherzo a bit slowly, though the third movement was quite expressive. In the difficult Rondo, which challenges many virtuosi, Mr. Hawley was quite exemplary. The audience responded with resounding applause. However, it appeared that Mr. Hawley was "saving himself" for the Liszt, a composer who has long attracted his regard. In no uncertain terms, Mr. Hawley attacked this arduous composition with both deliberation and verve. Though there were moments toward the beginning when this member of the audience was unsure as to whether Mr. Hawley was reserving enough of himself for the collossal athleticism to come, he lost none of his vigor as the sonata progressed, and concluded it in genuine triumph. This reviewer certainly looks forward to Mr. Hawley's next appearance -- live or on another CD. Peter H. Salus s -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun User Group, Inc; Suite 315; 1330 Beacon St.; Brookline, MA 02146 voice +1 617 232-0514 fax +1 617 232-1347