West Coast Tour, January - February, 2007
"Chetan Tierra is one of today's most talented emerging concert pianists and embodies the instrument with his fluidity, power and emotion. His pianissimos were definitively whisper-kissed as his fingers seemingly floated over the keys; his fortissimos were melodiously strong and powerful"
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"The super talented, handsome 23-year-old Chetan Tierra performed a musically enriching concert after a year of well-deserved success.
All of the works were performed with excellent musical insight, thorough preparation, professionalism and artistry. For this writer the most perfectly cut, brilliantly shinning musical gem of the evening was the Mozart Piano Sonata (K 332). I have enjoyed this work for many decades and I must admit that I can't remember ever hearing it played with more inspiration and musical excellence. Chetan adhered to Mozart's directions with perfection. The first four measure long part of the principal theme designated dolce and punctuated with a staccato E before it continues and closes was beautifully phrased, connected and spun as pure silk. Equally impressive were the wonderfully punctuated chords designated forte immediately followed by piano beginning in measure twenty while flowing through an excursion of related tonalities. This was pianistic articulation and execution of the highest quality.
The second movement also was performed with such beauty that one anticipated the entrance of an elegant soprano to begin her aria. The tone color and use of rubato Chetan employed was artistically tasteful and added a romantic aura to this lovely movement. This was Mozart at its very best!
The Franck, Liszt and Scriabin works were a dramatic change in direction. these pieces demonstrated Chetan's ability to successfully challenge the difficult fiery hopes that these composers built into their works. Chetan met the challenges and demonstrated his virtuosity in doing so.
Ginastera's Sonata No. 1 has become a much-performed work in the 20th century repertoire of pianists and certainly demonstrates his demand for virtuosity. Chetan expressed the contrast between the shifting accents of the opening theme and the expressive lyricism of the second theme quite effectively. The somewhat uncanny effects of the second movement call for varies use of touch and pedal techniques that amplify these affects. Chetan again performed with a sense of feeing for texture and impressive voicing.
The well-deserved standing ovation brought Chetan out for an appropriate and beautifully performed Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. This was impressionism at its best!"
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