A concert in the Kunewalder living room

By Eileen Wingard

SAN DIEGO — The vivacious pianist, Ines Irawati, welcomed the overflow crowd in Monique Kunewalder’s living room before her partner for the Piano Duo Recital, Daniel Wnukowski, introduced their first selection, Dance Macabre by Saints-Saens. This transcription for two pianos from the orchestral original was carried off with crackling demonic fervor, and Wnukowski’s enlightening introductory remarks enhanced our awareness of the devilish intervals of augmented fourths.  The two artists displayed their commanding techniques and precise ensemble.

The second piece, for four hands, was the endearing Fantasie by Schubert. Its opening theme of sadness and longing, comes back several times, and although the first statement did not have quite the sensitivity required, by the time the theme returned for the final statement, it touched our hearts. Perhaps a bit more rehearsing of this masterpiece, the only work on the program originally written for four hands, might have refined its delicate dynamics.

Next followed Ravel’s exciting La Valse. This was a tour de force for the two pianists and they obviously relished the technical challenges and the forte climaxes. Here, too, they should have commenced with a much softer beginning. In the orchestral original, the strings are hardly audible in the veiled sounding opening. Although the two piano version lacked the instrumental colors of the orchestra, the technical mastery of the duo and their stunning power garnered rousing applause from the audience.

The final work, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from Westside Story  was played with jazzy spunk and musical insight. Here, partly because of the single note lines, contrasting with large chordal sections, dynamic  shadings were strongly evident and it was an entirely satisfying rendition of this wonderful example of Americana.

Polish-born Daniel Wnukowski has a formidable career in Canada and in Austria, where he currently lives. He has concertized in Europe, North and South America and Asia and received numerous scholarships and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and other foundations for promoting the works of exiled Jewish composers of the early 20^th century, including Szymon Laks, Karol Rathaus, Jozef Koffler, Wladyslaw Szpilman and Viktor Ullmann.

Ines Irawati, a native of Indonesia, now residing in San Diego, has a varied career as soloist, chamber music collaborator and operatic vocal coach. She is the organizer of MusiKamar, which arranged this evening’s concert. She also serves as artistic director of the San Diego Opera’s Young Artist Training Program and the company’s community outreach concerts, Opera Exposed!  

It was inspiring to see and hear these two accomplished classical artists play their hearts out for an audience of 30+ appreciative listeners.

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Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com