DON'S REVIEW - Youngho Kim at the Mohammed Ali Palace

This is the first of what I hope will be a long series of reviews kindly contributed to CLEG by Don Greenberg. His knowledge of music and mastery of prose are not only a valuable addition to the pages of this blog but a helpful tool for all readers, and I am very grateful to him.
All reviews will be collected under the label "Don's Reviews".


Kim Youngho’s Beethoven/Schumann piano recital of Sunday 18 October is the first of a three part piano recital series by the famed International Music Center of Cairo.

Normally held at the Manasterly Palace, now under renovation, the IMC series is now held at the Manial Palace on Rhoda island. Built for Prince Mohamed Ali, an uncle of King Farouk, the Manial palace is one of Cairo’s more eccentric tourist sites. It is closed now for renovation, which in Cairo can take years. So, you can only get access if you go to one of the IMC concerts, and a chance to see the Palace and the grounds is alone worth the price of admission (50 LE).

The Golden Hall, where the concerts are being held, is a really fantastic blend of European rococo with Moorish, Persian, and Ottoman features. If you arrive early, and can sort out the somewhat lackadaisical security guards, you can wander through the magnificent Planet gardens, full of rare plants collected by Prince Ali, and stroll under acres of banyan and palm trees.

Now, the music. Mr Youngho gave a technically masterful and impassioned interpretation of the beloved “Moonlight Sonata”, followed an equally lovely performance of the Beethoven’s “Waldstein “ sonata, one of Beethoven’s most challenging compositions. But the real treat of the evening was the Davidbundlertanze, a suite of 18 “dances” that showcase the lyrical and impetuous side of Schumann. The highly appreciative crowd demanded an encore, and was rewarded with a stellar rendition of Chopin’s Polonaise in A-flat major.

Mark your calendars for the 15 November concert by the Iranian/French pianist Nima Sarkechik, and for 13 December for Wang Jue from China. You may be able to buy tickets in advance at the Opera House, but better to call in advance. Try these numbers: 27357001/27354234/27352287 or 27370603/27350911/27390362. Mr. Youngho’s concert was full, but not sold out, so you can also just go early, get your tickets, and enjoy the Palace and its grounds.

Don